From Judex Okoro, Calabar
The Cross Rivers State Council of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) staged a protest march amid heavy rain calling for the unconditional release of their kidnapped colleague, Prof Ekanem Phillip Ephriam.
Prof Ephraim was taken from her residence at about 9:00 pm on Thursday, July 13, along the Mountain of Fire and Miracle Ministries, Atimbo in Calabar Municipality by gunmen.
Following the kidnap, doctors across the state downed tools in all hospitals calling for the release of their medical colleague.
And in protest, 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.
At the House of Assembly, doors were shut against them into the Chambers.
Speaking during the protest, the NMA chairman in the State, Dr Felix Archibong, said: “We are embarking on this protest to call on Governor Bassey Otu and the security agents to do their constitutional right to protect the lives and properties of the citizens. Doctors in the state can no longer withstand the trauma.
“It is no longer news that a female doctor and colleague, Professor Ekanem Phillip Ephriam, was kidnapped and we reached out to the Governor and the security agencies.
“But 19 days after, we have not heard from the government. For us, they are not working even if they are working. We want them to do something because we believe they can and it is possible. So far, 14 medical doctors Kidnapped In the state.
“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. We believe it took the political will to curb that menace. That is why we are crying out. Though it is raining it can not stop us because we are aggrieved.”