CALABAR, Nigeria – The medical community in Cross River State is in turmoil following the kidnapping of 64-year-old Prof Ekanem Ephraim of the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital.
The incident occurred 20 days ago as she attended to patients, and her whereabouts remain unknown.
Doctors have taken to the streets in protest, concerned for their safety and frustrated by the lack of action from security agencies.
In a display of unity and determination, they defied heavy rain on Tuesday, August 1, 2023, to march through Calabar, drawing attention to their plight and demanding proactive measures to secure lives and properties.
“We want to say that this protest will be daily. We will even occupy the State House of Assembly or other government offices to draw attention of government to the need to reinforce security not only to ourselves but the general public,” said Dr. Ebri, one of the protesting doctors.
Felix Archibong, Chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association in the state, has also penned a letter to Governor Bassey Otu, urging him to take immediate and decisive action.
Archibong’s letter calls for the deployment of a special police team, the establishment of a robust security outfit, and the implementation of the Cross River State anti-kidnapping law.
The kidnapping has rattled the medical community, some even suspecting that “powerful hands may be giving backing to these kidnapping enterprises.”
The incident has led to fear among doctors, who are now concerned for their safety and the potential continuation of their practice within the state.
The state deputy governor, Peter Odey, and the Speaker of the state Assembly, Elvert Ayambem, have sought to assure the doctors that the government is not ignoring the incident.
They have called for patience and understanding, emphasizing that security is a top priority for the administration.
However, their assurances have done little to quell the anxiety and determination of the doctors, who have vowed to protest daily and occupy government offices until their demands are met.
This incident adds to the growing concerns over insecurity in Nigeria and puts additional pressure on the authorities to resolve the kidnapping crisis swiftly.
It also raises questions about the underlying factors contributing to increased criminal activity.
The case of Prof Ekanem Ephraim, a respected senior medical professional, has become a symbol of a broader struggle for safety and justice in Cross River State and beyond.
The coming days will test the resolve of the government and security agencies as they face mounting public pressure to address the kidnapping menace and restore confidence in the medical community and the public.
As the doctors continue their protests and the family of Prof Ephraim waits in anguish, the situation serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerability of even the most respected professionals in society.
The eyes of the nation are now on Cross River State, waiting to see if decisive action will finally be taken to address this deeply concerning issue.
