Professor Oguejiofo Ujam, the kidnapped Dean of School of General Studies at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, has escaped from his abductors.
This was disclosed by the spokesman of Enugu State police command, DSP Daniel Ndukwe in a statement.
He said that on Tuesday operatives attached to Unity Division foiled a suspected kidnap attempt at the Neke-Uno axis of the Enugu/Opi/Nsukka Road on Monday, October 28, 2024.
The incident occurred around 7:10pm.
The police image maker revealed that during the operation, Prof. Oguejiofo Ujam managed to escape.
Ndukwe explained that after an intense gun duel, the suspected kidnappers fled with gunshot wounds, abandoning one AK-47 rifle, two magazines containing 22 rounds, and a chain of 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.
“The Command refutes viral reports alleging the kidnapping of a Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) officer travelling from Benue State along this route, clarifying that no such incident has been 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”, the statement reads.
Ndukwe, however, added that the police commissioner, CP Kanayo Uzuegbu, had ordered the deployment of additional officers and resources to enhance both “overt and covert police operations” along the Enugu/Opi/Nsukka Road.
