By Godwin Otang
The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) Cross River State, has appealed to the Cross River State Governor, Senator Bassey Otu, to secure the unconditional release of their member, Mrs. Ekanem Philip-Ephraim who was recently kidnapped in Calabar.
Mrs. Ekanem, a Professor of Medicine, was kidnapped from her residence at about 7:15 pm on Thursday night along the Mountain of Fire and Miracle Ministries, Atimbo by unknown gunmen.
The NMA Cross River State Chapter through its Chairman Dr. Felix Archibong, called on Governor Bassey Otu to secure the unconditional release of the University of Calabar (UCTH) Consultant.
Dr. Archibong told CrossRiverWatch that: “She was kidnapped at her residence at about 7:15 pm. (Thursday night). The adopters went there, disguised as patients and when she gave them an audience, they brought out weapons and took her away.
“We are very sure they are kidnappers because they have reached out to the family demanding ransom,” he said, adding that the kidnappers are demanding everything in the victim’s bank account.
When asked about the amount demanded by the kidnappers for the Professor’s release he inferred: “Even if it’s 10 Kobo, it is a demand; we are not interested in the money, what they did is that, after assessing her (the victim’s) bank account details through her phone, saw the account balance, they demanded that all the money in her bank account should be emptied. Until now we have not heard from them again.”
NMA however warns that if the victim isn’t released, medical facilities across the State will be shut down: “By 1:pm this afternoon, we will declare strike, we will shut down totally; all the hospitals will be shut down.”
Archibong added: “We want the good people of Cross River State, especially the State Governor to reach out and do the needful which is to protect the lives and property and release our member unconditionally,” Archibong prayed.
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