In a significant development for Nigeria's security apparatus, operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) have apprehended the prime suspects in the brutal murder of Professor Ekanem Philip Ephraim, a respected neurologist. The arrest comes nearly two years after the shocking crime sent waves of fear through Cross River State.
The Arrest and Confession
The DSS captured the alleged gang leader, 24-year-old Patrick Essien Etim, and his 40-year-old accomplice, Bassey Antiha Asuquo, on December 27, 2025. According to a credible source who spoke to Channels Television, the suspects were arrested at a medical facility in Cross River State. They were reportedly in the process of planning another abduction, this time targeting a different medical professional.
The source revealed that the DSS had been on the trail of the kidnappers since Professor Ephraim's tragic abduction and killing in July 2023. The professor was attacked at her private clinic on Atimbo Road in Calabar by gunmen who had disguised themselves as patients.
During interrogation, the suspects confessed to the heinous crime. They admitted to killing Professor Ephraim after having collected multiple ransom payments from her distraught family. "It has been two years of torment for her loved ones, not knowing what happened to the Professor. I believe that, with this arrest, her family and loved ones will finally have some peace and the much-needed closure they deserve," the source stated.
A Broader Crackdown on Crime
The arrest is not an isolated incident but part of a wider offensive against criminal networks in the region. The suspects' confessions extended beyond the murder of Professor Ephraim. They admitted to involvement in several other serious crimes, including:
- Multiple kidnappings for ransom.
- Vandalism of electricity cables, contributing to infrastructure decay.
In connection with these revelations, a third suspect, identified as Isaac Ekpeyong, was also taken into custody by the DSS.
Impact and Official Response
The kidnapping and murder of Professor Ephraim had profound repercussions in Cross River State. The local chapter of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) organized widespread protests and initiated an indefinite strike action. Their primary demand was the safe rescue of their colleague. This industrial action severely disrupted healthcare services across the state for over a week, highlighting the gravity of the crime.
The DSS has characterized this arrest as a major victory. Officials described it as a huge breakthrough in their covert operations and a clear reaffirmation of the agency's commitment to restoring public safety and security across Nigeria. This operation demonstrates a persistent, intelligence-driven approach to solving long-standing violent crimes.
The successful takedown of this criminal cell offers a measure of justice for the family of Professor Ekanem Ephraim and serves as a warning to other criminal elements operating in the region. It underscores the ongoing efforts by security agencies to address complex crimes like kidnapping and murder, even when investigations span several years.
