UNIABUJA professors, other abductees rescued – Police, VC, ASUU

All abducted victims of the University of Abuja have been rescued and reunited with their families.

The police in Federal Capital Territory confirmed the release on Friday.

DSP Josephine Adeh, Police Public Relations, said the feat was achieved through a joint operation with other security agencies.

Armed men had on Tuesday morning invaded the Senior Staff Quarters of the University of Abuja.

At the university located at the Gwagwalada Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, six people were abducted at about 1a.m. after gunmen numbering more than 20 shot their way into the university staff quarters.

Those abducted are Prof. Obanza Malam, Prof. Bassey Ubom with his son and daughter, Sambo Mohammed and Dr. Tobit.

The Vice Chancellor of University of Abuja, Prof. Abdul-Rasheed Na’Allah, also confirmed the release.

The Vice Chancellor in a message to the university community thanked God for the development

Na’Allah said: “My dear University Community,
“Our prayers have been accepted. Please join me in thanking God Almighty. I will provide you more details later, just to let you know that our UofA family is a happier family today with the resolution of this callous and wicked kidnap of our people.

“As I write, we are on the road to fetch them and get them immediate medical attention to ensure they are sound and strong.
“Our brilliant and indefatigable Safety Unit and security outfit must be commended. They are deserving of superior award. We are grateful to the team along with the military, the police, the DSS and all who laboured to make this happen.

“Our traditional rulers in FCT stood by us and prayed for us and we are grateful to all of them. Allah ya ja zamani. Nigeria is forward forever. The UofA of Nigeria cannot be stopped.”

The chairperson of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) University of Abuja Chapter, Dr. Kasim Umar, also confirmed the release on Friday.

He, however, failed to disclose if ransom was paid or not as demanded by the abductors.

Dr. Umar said the freed lecturers and family members are currently undergoing medical checks to ascertain their wellbeing.

“At this point, we have to thank the Federal Government, the security agencies, the Minister of Education, the Minister of FCT because they took the mantle of leadership ensuring these people were released unharmed. We thank and appreciate them for the release of our loved ones.”

The ASUU chairperson, who expressed concern about the insecurity situation, called for stringent and urgent measures to ensure safety in the community.

According to him, the Senior Staff Quarters were built by President Shehu Shagari’s administration as a police barracks at the inception of the university in 1988 and later converted to temporary accommodation for founding staff members of the university.