Eight individuals are presently in police custody in connection with the kidnapping of Professor Ekanem Phillip-Ephraim, a faculty member at the University of Calabar (UNICAL).
Ekanem, a medical professor, was abducted by armed men at her private hospital in Atimbo, Calabar, on July 13. She has been in captivity for over eight weeks as the state police continue their search for her.
8 suspects charged
Irene Ugbo, the spokesperson for the Cross River State police, confirmed on Monday that eight suspects are being arraigned in court for their involvement in the abduction.
The suspects were apprehended at various locations and at different times over the past weeks.
According to Ugbo, one of the suspects, who provided valuable information, revealed that the last time he saw the professor was on a specific day before she was taken across a river.
The landlord of the house where she was held, a spiritualist, and a boatman who transported the kidnappers were also arrested. However, by the time the boatman returned, the professor had already been moved again.
The suspects have been charged with conspiracy and other offenses and are scheduled to appear in court on the 25th. Ugbo stated that the information provided by the suspects will aid the police in their efforts to rescue the abducted academic.
