Description

Kidnappers of an assistant director at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Mrs Christiana Ekanem, who initially demanded N30m as ransom, have agreed to take N5m to set her free.

She was kidnapped on Tuesday last week by gunmen by the gate of her home on School Road, Satellite Town, Calabar.

Mrs Ekanem is the wife of Prof. Emmanuel Ikpeme, a medical doctor who resides in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, where he is the medical director of the Akwa Ibom Specialist Hospital, Uyo.

Her kidnap resulted in an indefinite strike by members of the Nigerian Medical Association, Cross River State branch, in solidarity with Prof. Ekanem.

Meanwhile, the owner of Amber Lounge Nightclub in Calabar, Akeem Shodeinde, who was also kidnapped last week, has regained his freedom.

It could not be ascertained if any ransom was paid before he was freed this week.