Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) have arrested two suspects allegedly responsible for the killing of Professor Ekanem Philip Ephraim, a neurologist murdered nearly two years ago in Cross River State.
A security source confirmed the development on Monday, identifying the suspects as Patrick Essien Etim, 24, believed to be the gang leader, and Bassey Antiha Asuquo, 40. The duo was arrested on December 27 at a medical facility in the state while reportedly planning another kidnapping operation.
The DSS had been monitoring the criminal network since July 2023, when the professor was abducted by individuals posing as patients. According to the source, the suspects confessed to abducting the medical expert and later killing her after receiving ransom payments from her family.
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“It has been two years of torment for her loved ones. With this arrest, her family will finally have the peace and closure they deserve,” the source disclosed, noting that the breakthrough highlights the agency’s renewed covert strategy to improve public safety.
Another accomplice, identified as Isaac Ekpeyong, was also apprehended for his alleged involvement in previous kidnappings and vandalization of public infrastructure, including electricity cables.
The DSS is expected to release an official statement as investigations progress.
