In a major security breakthrough, the Department of State Services (DSS) has arrested Patrick Essien Etim, 23, the alleged leader behind the 2023 kidnapping and murder of renowned neurology professor, Ekanem Philip Ephraim. His accomplice, Bassey Antiha Asuquo, 40, was also apprehended on December 27 at a medical facility in Cross River State while planning another abduction.
The suspects reportedly confessed to abducting Professor Ephraim from her private clinic in Calabar, collecting multiple ransoms, and murdering her. Investigations also linked them to other kidnappings and acts of vandalism, including damaging electricity infrastructure. Another suspect, Isaac Ekpeyong, was later detained in connection with the gang’s operations.
The arrests come almost two years after Professor Ephraim’s death, providing much-needed closure to her family and colleagues who endured prolonged uncertainty. The DSS emphasized that these arrests demonstrate the effectiveness of sustained intelligence operations and its renewed commitment to public safety. Further investigations are ongoing to dismantle the gang completely and prevent future crimes.
#DSSArrests #KidnapMurderCase #CrossRiverSecurity #ProfessorEphraim #JusticeServed #NigerianSecurity #KidnappingRing #PublicSafety #CrimeBreakthrough #DSS
