By Ene Asuquo
The Cross River State chapter of the Nigeria Medical Association defiled the heavy downpour in Calabar as the took to street protest over the abduction of their colleague, Dr. Ekanem Ephraim who has been in the kidnappers Dane for 19 days now.
The protesting Doctors lead by the chairman, Cross River State chapter of NMA, Doctor Felix Archibong,started the protest from the General Hospital through the the state House Of Assembly then to the Governor’s office where they were received by the Deputy Governor, Hon. Peter Odey
The Deputy Governor while receiving the protesting Doctors pleaded with them to be calm as the Government was doing everything to secure the safe release of the abducted Doctor.
In the state House Of Assembly premises, the protesting Doctors also met the speaker who gave them similar assurance that the abducted Doctor is alive and that the Government would ensure that she returns safe and re-unite with her family members
The Doctors who carried placard with inscriptions like, “Set Cross River free from the stranglehold of kidnappers” free all persons held captive by kidnappers” chanted solidarity songs alone some major streets in calabar
In their protest letter dated 1/8/2023 signed by the State chairman, Dr. Felix Archibong, the union demanded amongst other things the immediate release of their member
“We demand for a swift action in ensuring the release of our kidnapped colleague, Prof. Ekanem philip- Ephraim”
They also appealed to the State Governor, prince Bassey Otu to urgently intervene in the assent and implementation of the Cross River State anti- kidnapping law as this will serve as a deterrent against perpetrators of such act and offer justice to victim’s