November 15, (THEWILL) – The lead consultant of Neurology at the University Of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Professor Ekanem Ephraim, has so far spent about 116 days in kidnappers den in Cross River State.
Professor Ephraim was kidnapped about four months ago on July 13, 2023, around the Atimbo Axis of Calabar Municipality, by unknown gunmen and taken into captivity.
Her abduction reportedly took place at her residence in Calabar by kidnappers, who posed as relations to a patient in dire need of medical attention.
The incident shook the medical community in the state and the state branch of the Nigeria Medical Association embarked in an industrial action to protest against the rising spate of “doctor targeted kidnappings” in the state.
The industrial action lasted for about forty days and occasioned a major and unquantified crisis in the state’s healthcare sector.
The strike action was later called off by the State NMA in the wake of the deteriorating health sector in the state and the need to give government a chance to arrest the situation.
In suspending the industrial action, the state Chairman of the Nigeria Medical Association disclosed that “Following a letter of appeal from Gov. Otu, advice of the national president of the association and for the sake of many of the citizens who are suffering, we have suspended the strike to give government time to rescue our member.
“This action has been carried out despite the fact that our member has not been released; however, if any of our member is kidnapped again, we will go back to strike.
“We are appealing to security agents to step up and maintain the momentum that has been established in the last few weeks, which has reduced cases of kidnapping in the state”, Archibong had stated then.
However, following her prolonged stay in captivity, Dr Felix Archibong has bemoaned her colleague’s prolonged captivity.
Dr Archibong said that it was regrettable that security agencies and the state government have not been able secure her release after several promises made to that effect.
While noting that the state have become inhabitable due to the activities of kidnappers, said several others, including medical personnel, have suffered same fate as Prof. Ephraim.
“This is the situation in the state and it is regrettable that our colleague is still in captivity after 115 days.
“We are trying so hard not to make industrial action another alternative to getting the government and security agencies to keep to their promises”, he stated.
About the Author
THEWILL Correspondent, Aniekan Bassey has over six years experience that spans across several fields in print journalism including development communication, sexual reproductive and health rights issues, crime, climate change, social justice, business and human interest stories.
