C'River: Fear Grips NMA, Family Members Over Safety Of Abducted Doctor
- We haven't heard from them for over a week now, despite collecting ransom -Family
- Government is either aloof or docile in this matter - NMA member
By Edem ITA
Immediate family members of the kidnapped Professor of Neurology, Prof Ekanem Ephraim, and the entire community of medical professionals in Cross River are now living in apprehension since communications between the family and kidnappers ended abruptly over two week now with no sign of the abducted consultant in sight.
Recall that Professor Ekanem Ephraim, a lead consultant of neurology at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, UCTH, was abducted from her residence in Calabar by gunmen posing as relations to a patient in dire need of medical attention.
In a bid to get the government to act promptly and decisively, medical doctors under the umbrella of the Nigerian Medical Association, NMA had embarked on a work to rule action a week later across the state to register their grievances over the persistent abductions of medical personnel in Cross River.
Dissatisfied with the government posturing on the matter, NMA opted for a peaceful daily protest since last week Thursday to draw attention to the predicament of their colleague who has been in captivity since July 13.
But despite the hues and cries of the NMA, the hope of rescuing the victim alive seems to be ebbing away daily according to our findings.
Investigations by The Beagle News revealed that the abductors have cut off further communications with the family despite collecting about ten million naira as an initial deposit in lieu of the agreed sum of twenty-five million naira.
The state of incommunicado has now thrown the family, friends, and colleagues into agony and despair given the prolonged stay of the abductee in captivity.
A family member who spoke on condition of anonymity said, "After we dropped the amount we were able to raise, they called to confirm receipt with an ultimatum to ensure full payment before the deadline they gave us. That day, we heard Prof's voice in the background pleading with us to contact individuals and the officials of the state government to come to her rescue."
"That was about two weeks ago. Up till now, we have been calling all the lines they were using to negotiate with us. All those phone lines are perpetually off as we speak now. The experience is traumatic, nightmarish."
"We are worried, especially when you consider her medical condition as a diabetic and hypertensive patient. We are now resigned to fate."
Speaking, a senior member of the NMA, who gave his name as Dr Evans Prince said the body language of the state government is not helping matters as far as the rescue effort is concerned.
In his words, "There are two glaring signs we have observed since we started the struggles to get our colleague released. Governor Bassey Otu, who is the Chief Security Officer of the state has not deemed it necessary to address us,issue a stern statement on the matter nor summon a security meeting with heads of security establishments domiciled in the state."
"This indicates that the government is either aloof or docile over the safety of the lives and property of the citizenry. Doctors must consider relocating from Cross River. We have had enough."
Attempts to get a possible update from the Nigeria Police on the issue proved abortive as the phone number of the Police Public Officer, PPRO, Cross River Command, ASP, Irene Ugbo was not reachable when contacted.
