The Nigerian Medical Association, Cross River State (NMA-CRS) branch has demanded immediate release of one of their colleagues, Prof. Prof. Ekanem Philip-Ephraim, from kidnappers den alive or dead or faces total lock down of the heath sector.

Prof. Ekanem was whisked away from her private clinic July 13, 2023, making it 28 days in captivity. Her kidnap brings to 14 total numbers of doctors that have been kidnapped in the last five years.

To protest the ugly occurrence, the NMA members on Tuesday, August 1, 2023 under the rain, staged a peaceful protest, which started from the General Hospital through the Cross River State House of Assembly Complex and the Presidential Lodge.

Investigations revealed that the family has allegedly paid some undisclosed sum of money on as ransom after much bargaining with the kidnappers and are demanding for more before they could secure her release.

A family source said they are worried that after collecting the ransom, the hoodlums switched off their mobile phones and stopped further communication with the family members.

Expressing further worry nobody has been able to communicate with Ekanem for about days out of 28 days in captivity, the Nigerian Medical Association after its emergency meeting held in Calabar demanded immediate release of erudite Professor of Neurology, Prof. Ekanem Philip Ephraim, either death or alive and that in any eventuality of her not being alive anymore, the State Government must accord her a befitting burial. (Daily Sun)