Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Abuja — In a significant breakthrough for Nigeria’s security and justice system, operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) have apprehended key members of the criminal gang responsible for the kidnapping and murder of renowned neurologist Professor Ekanem Philip Ephraim, nearly two years after the traumatic abduction shocked the nation.
The arrests were made on 27 December 2025 in Cross River State, where the alleged gang leader and several accomplices were taken into custody while reportedly planning another high‑profile kidnapping. According to security sources, the DSS had been meticulously tracking the activities of the syndicate since July 2023, when Professor Ephraim was seized by armed assailants at her private clinic in Calabar.
The principal suspect, 23‑year‑old Patrick Essien Etim, is alleged to have led the group that abducted Professor Ephraim from her clinic on Atimbo Road, masquerading as patients before overpowering her and forcibly taking her away. Etim and his known accomplice, 40‑year‑old Bassey Antiha Asuquo, were reportedly intercepted at a medical facility amid preparations to target another senior medical professional when DSS operatives moved in.
Investigators say the suspects confessed to their roles in Professor Ephraim’s case, admitting that they murdered her after collecting multiple ransom payments from her family. The prolonged uncertainty over her fate had been a source of anguish for loved ones and colleagues ever since she disappeared two years ago, prompting widespread public outcry and protests.
Among those taken into custody in connection with the crimes was a third suspect, Isaac Ekpeyong, who also allegedly admitted involvement in other kidnappings and criminal activities, including vandalism of infrastructure.
Professor Ephraim was a distinguished professor of neurology and a respected figure in the medical community. Her abduction in July 2023 sparked statewide protests led by the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), which at the time demanded immediate action and held rallies to press for her release. The NMA’s strike in Cross River State temporarily crippled health services as doctors withdrew their services to compel authorities to act.
The arrest of Etim, Asuquo and Ekpeyong marks a critical development in a case that has lingered as a painful memory for many in the medical profession and the wider Nigerian public. The DSS characterised the operation as a testament to its renewed emphasis on undercover intelligence gathering and sustained covert operations to dismantle kidnapping rings and restore public confidence in national security institutions.
Security analysts say that the success underscores the importance of persistence in tracking criminal syndicates that often operate across states and evolve their tactics to evade detection. Kidnapping for ransom has remained one of Nigeria’s most pervasive security challenges, affecting professionals, educators, business leaders and ordinary citizens alike. Incidents such as these have repeatedly highlighted vulnerabilities in protective measures for individuals exposed through their work or public profiles.
For the family and friends of Professor Ephraim, the arrests provide a measure of closure after years of uncertainty. Many had feared that her case would remain unresolved, as her disappearance drew national attention and became emblematic of the wider crisis of insecurity facing communities across the country. With these arrests, it is hoped that prosecutors will be able to move swiftly to secure convictions and deliver justice.
Legal experts point out that the success of the DSS operation will likely hinge on the strength of evidence collected, including the suspects’ confessions, forensic materials and corroborating witness accounts. Due process and judicial scrutiny will be critical as the case proceeds through the courts.
The DSS has indicated that continued efforts are underway to uncover the broader network that supported the gang’s operations, as well as to identify any further individuals who may have facilitated other kidnappings or related criminal acts.
As the nation reflects on this development, the arrest of those linked to Professor Ephraim’s tragic death is being viewed as an affirmation that persistent security pressure, combined with targeted intelligence work, can yield results—even in cases that have remained unresolved for extended periods.
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