DSS arrests kidnapping gang leader responsible for Professor Ekanem’s death, foils new plot, providing closure for family and reinforcing national security measures.
Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) on Saturday arrested the leader of a notorious kidnapping gang responsible for the abduction and murder of Professor Ekanem Philip Ephraim, a prominent neurologist at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH).
The arrest also prevented the gang from carrying out another planned kidnapping targeting a high-profile medical professional in Cross River State.
Professor Ekanem was abducted on July 13, 2023, when gunmen posing as patients gained access to her private clinic on Atimbo Road, Calabar.
The shocking incident sent ripples across the medical community and the nation, sparking outrage over the rising trend of violent kidnappings in Nigeria.
Her disappearance triggered protests led by the Cross River State chapter of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), which embarked on an indefinite strike.
The strike crippled healthcare delivery for over a week as the association demanded urgent government intervention to rescue the professor.
A security source confirmed to security analyst Zagazola Makama on Monday, December 29, 2025, that the DSS apprehended 23-year-old Patrick Essien Etim, the gang leader, along with his accomplice, 40-year-old Bassey Antiha Asuquo, at a medical facility in Cross River State.
The duo had reportedly been planning to kidnap another prominent medical practitioner.
According to the source, the DSS had been tracking the gang since Professor Ekanem’s murder, closely monitoring their movements and activities.
The arrested suspects, including another gang member, Isaac Ekpeyong, have confessed to orchestrating multiple kidnappings, including Professor Ekanem’s, and extorting ransom payments from victims’ families.
They also admitted to acts of vandalism, such as damaging electricity cables in certain areas to facilitate their crimes.
The source added, “It has been two years of torment for her loved ones, not knowing what happened to the professor. With this arrest, her family and loved ones can finally find some peace and closure.”
The kidnapping of Professor Ekanem was widely regarded as one of the most audacious criminal acts in the region, highlighting the risks faced by medical professionals and other high-profile individuals.
The incident brought to the fore serious concerns over security lapses and the growing sophistication of kidnapping rings.
Families of victims have expressed relief that law enforcement agencies are intensifying their efforts to dismantle criminal networks involved in abductions.
The DSS’s success in apprehending the gang leader underscores the agency’s commitment to intelligence-led operations and proactive measures to combat kidnapping and related criminal activities across the country.
“This breakthrough demonstrates the DSS’s dedication to restoring safety and public confidence,” the source said.
The operation also serves as a warning to criminal gangs that law enforcement agencies are closely monitoring their movements and will take decisive action to neutralize threats.
Professor Ekanem’s kidnapping and eventual murder had a profound impact on the Cross River State community and beyond.
It prompted calls from medical associations nationwide for enhanced protection for healthcare professionals, emphasizing the urgent need for collaborative strategies between security agencies, hospital administrations, and the government.
The tragedy also highlighted the emotional and financial toll kidnapping imposes on families, particularly when ransom negotiations fail or extend over long periods.
According to security analysts, the arrest of Patrick Essien Etim and his accomplices may lead to further breakthroughs in unraveling larger criminal networks operating in the South-South region.
The suspects’ confessions are expected to assist authorities in identifying other members of the gang, preventing future kidnappings, and apprehending criminals involved in organized crime.
The Cross River State NMA has hailed the DSS’s efforts, describing the arrests as a “significant victory for public safety and justice.”
The association emphasized that continued vigilance and collaboration between medical professionals and security agencies are vital to preventing similar incidents in the future.
The DSS is now working to interrogate the arrested suspects thoroughly to recover any outstanding ransom payments, locate other potential victims, and ensure that all members of the gang are brought to justice.
The agency has also reiterated its commitment to covert operations, aimed at preventing kidnappings before they occur, and maintaining law and order across Nigeria.
The case of Professor Ekanem’s kidnapping has left an indelible mark on the nation’s consciousness, highlighting the vulnerability of prominent individuals to violent criminal acts.
It also underscores the importance of intelligence gathering, rapid response, and cross-agency collaboration in tackling kidnapping and other security threats.
Families, communities, and institutions are increasingly advocating for robust protective measures to safeguard citizens against criminal activities.
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