The kidnapped Dean of School of General Studies, University of Nigeria Nsukka, Prof Oguejiofo Ujam, has been rescued.
Ujam, who reported to have been kidnapped on Saturday evening along Enugu-Ugwuogo-Nike -Opi road, escaped from the kidnappers’ den on Monday evening during a manhunt of his abductors after they their another kidnapping operation were foiled.
The Enugu State Police Public Relations Officer DSP Daniel Ndukwe confirmed the rescue of the lecturer in a statement made available to our reporter on Tuesday evening.
He said, “Operatives of the Enugu State Police Command attached to Unity Division foiled a suspected kidnapping attempt on October 28, 2024, around 7:10 p.m., at the Neke-Uno axis of the Enugu/Opi/Nsukka Road.
“The suspects, after an intense gun duel, fled with gunshot wounds, abandoning one AK-47 rifle, two magazines containing a total of twenty-two (22) rounds, and a chain of thirty-nine (39) live ammunition.
“Further operations to hunt down the fleeing suspects the same night, led to a lecturer at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, reportedly kidnapped on October 26, 2024, escaping from his abductors’ custody.”
Ndukwe, however, debunked the report that claimed the kidnap of a Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) officer travelling from Benue State along Opi-Ugwuogo route, nearby Maduka University.
The Command’s spokesperson clarified that no such incident was recorded anywhere in Enugu State.
“Additionally, claims suggesting the Enugu/Opi/Nsukka Road is unsafe for travellers are unfounded and the product of scaremongering, which should be disregarded.”
He, however, quoted the Commissioner of Police, CP Kanayo Uzuegbu, to have ordered additional deployment of personnel and resources to bolster both overt and covert police operations along the Enugu/Opi/Nsukka Road.
He reassured the public of security and safety on the road and across the State.
