By Nsan Ndoma-Neji, Calabar
Methodist Church Nigeria, Diocese of Calabar, John Wesley Circuit, yesterday urged the governor of Cross River State, Bassey Otu not to sweep under the carpet case of abducted professor of neurology at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, UCTH, Prof. Ekanem Ephraim, who was abducted by unknown gunmen and taken to unknown destination.
The church gave the charge during the 48th Annual Synod of Calabar Diocese hosted by a re-christened circuit, John Wesley, Ikang, Bakassi Local Government Area of Cross River State at the weekend.
The church charged Governor Otu to ensure that his does everything humanly possible to secure the release of the abducted Professor of Medicine, so that she can be re-integrated with her family members.
Ekanem was kidnapped on July 13, 2023 at the Mountain of Fire Miracle Church at Atimbo Road, Calabar Municipality Local Government Area and taken to an unknown destination, after she was tricked by kidnappers that a patient was in a critical state and needed medical attention, but the information was false as she was abducted in the process.
The Synod, chaired by Archbishop/Bishop of Calabar, His Grace, Most Rev’d (Amb.) Chimezuo Nwankpa, JP, assisted by outgoing Lay President of the Diocese, Prof. Miranda Dosunmu, KJW, urged the state governor to do everything within his reach to ensure that the abducted medical expert regains her freedom.
A communique issued at the end of 48th Synod, which lasted for four days and signed by Prof. Miranda Dosunmu and chairman of the Communiqué Committee, Elder Offiong Unoh, emphasized on the rescue of the kidnapped victim.
It said, “Ensure that Prof. Ekanem Ephraim is rescued.”
The communique advocated the overhauling of the country ‘s security architecture to tackle insecurity problem troubling the nation.
The Synod urged youths in the church to embrace skill acquisition programme initiated by the Methodist Church, just as it also advocated sanction for operator of the boat mishap that led to dead of Nollywood stars at Anam River in Delta State.
