The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) Cross River State Council have taken protest to the streets of Calabar the state capital over the kidnapped of their colleague, Prof Ekanem Phillip Ephriam.
Prof Ephriam was kidnapped from her residence at about 7:15 pm on Thursday 13 July 2023 along the Mountain of Fire and Miracle Ministries, Atimbo by unknown gunmen.
The Doctors who had down their tools in all hospitals across the State are calling for an unconditional release of their colleague.
CrossRiverWatch reports that the NMA Chairman in the State, Dr. Felix Archibong on Tuesday said as they can no longer bear the trauma, they were embarking on protest to call on Governor Bassey Edet Otu and the security agents to come to her rescue as it’s their constitutional duty to protect the lives and properties of the citizens.
Dr. Archibong said it is 19 days since the Neurologist and Consultant at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH) – Prof. Ekanem was whisked away.
He said they had reached out to the Governor and the security agencies but nothing was done about it, Archibong said “they are not working even if they are working. We want them to do something because we believe they can and it is possible.”
“We are pressing on because we have States like Akwa Ibom and Rivers where kidnapping was the heat of the day and today we no longer hear such and we believe it took the political will to curb that menace,” he continued.
“That is why we are crying out. Though it is raining it can not stop us because we are aggrieved because she is the number 14 Medical Doctors that have been Kidnapped in the State.”
Dr. Archibong said it is not easy for 19 days they have been Mentally unstable, some of them could not sleep,”for a woman to be in the hands of kidnappers we are wondering and the Government is quite worrisome.”
Truth Live News gathered that after today they are planning that to protest every morning to the Government House to continue to cry until their colleague is released.
This is not the time for Cross Riverians to blame us for withdrawing services, every Doctor in Cross River State at the moment is sick, “we need help,” Archibong said.
It was reported that at the time of this report, the protesting doctors were addressed by the Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly Hon Elvert Ayambem who assured them that their colleague will be safely released.
Recall that Truth Live News earlier reported that the NMA Cross River State Chapter through its Chairman Dr. Felix Archibong, had reportedly threatened to embark on strike action if their member is not released.