NMA Bemoans Non Release of Prof. Ekanem 116 Days After Abduction

By Ndifreke BASSEY

The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) Cross River chapter has bemaomed the non-release of Prof. Ekanem Ephraim, after 116 days in kidnappers' den.

Recall that Prof. Ekanem Ephraim, a professor at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH) was abducted on July 13 at Atimbo area of Calabar Municipality.

Her abduction prompted the NMA to embark on industrial action that lasted for 40 days, but they later called off the strike after repeated appeales by Gov. Bassey Otu who had said that innocent citizens were been made to suffer.

“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.

Lamenting that the government is yet to fulfil their part of the bargain, the NMA chairman, Dr Felix Archibong, said: "It was regrettable that security agencies and the state government have not been able secure her release after several promises made to that effect.

"For now, the state have become inhabitable due to the activities of kidnappers, said several others, including medical personnel, have suffered same fate as Prof. Empraim.

"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.