Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) have arrested the alleged leader of the gang responsible for the kidnapping and murder of Professor Ekanem Philip Ephraim, a renowned professor of neurology, nearly two years after the crime.
A credible security source confirmed that the suspects were apprehended on December 27 at a medical facility in Cross River State. Those arrested are Patrick Essien Etim, 23, identified as the gang leader, and his accomplice, Bassey Antiha Asuquo, 40. The duo was reportedly planning the abduction of another high-profile medical professional at the time of their arrest.
According to the source, the DSS had been tracking the kidnapping ring since Professor Ephraim was abducted and killed in July 2023. She was taken from her private clinic on Atimbo Road, Calabar, by gunmen who reportedly posed as patients seeking medical attention.
Investigations revealed that the suspects confessed to the crime, admitting they murdered Professor Ephraim after collecting multiple ransom payments from her family. The prolonged uncertainty surrounding her fate had left her family and colleagues in deep distress.
“It has been two years of torment for her loved ones, not knowing what truly happened to the professor,” the source said. “With these arrests, her family may finally find some peace and the closure they deserve.”
The suspects also reportedly confessed to involvement in other kidnapping operations and acts of vandalism, including the destruction of electricity cables. Another suspect, identified as Isaac Ekpeyong, was also arrested in connection with the crimes.
Professor Ephraim’s abduction in July 2023 sparked widespread outrage across Cross River State. The Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) declared an indefinite strike to pressure authorities to secure her release, a move that paralysed health services in the state for more than a week.
The source described the arrests as a major breakthrough, noting that they underscore the DSS’s renewed emphasis on covert intelligence operations and its commitment to restoring public safety.
Security investigations are ongoing as authorities work to uncover the full extent of the gang’s activities and ensure all those involved are brought to justice.
Melissa Enoch
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