University students raise ransom for kidnapped female colleague in Nigeria

Students of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) Awka, Anambra State, in South-Eastern Nigeria have appealed for donations to enable them raise 2 million Naira ransom for the release of their colleague, Francisca Chioma, who was recently whisked away by suspected kidnappers on her way to attend a burial.

Chioma, a student of the Science Education Department was said to have been missing since April 5, after she left Awka to attend a friend’s father’s burial in a community in the same Anambra State.

Every attempt to reach her through her telephone has reportedly failed as calls to her number were not answered nor returned.

This has created panic and tension among her colleagues, friends, and family members.

Confirming the incident, the Chief Security Officer of the university, Ken Chukwurah, said that relevant security agencies in the state have been informed about her disappearance, adding that her suspected abductors had made contact with the family.

Chukwurah was quoted as saying, “It is true. The DSS has been fully in the picture since yesterday. We are working with them. We got information that one of our students was on her way to attend a funeral ceremony in a village outside Awka when the incident happened, and since then, she has not been found.

“It is important to also note that the incident did not happen in the school and we have to be clear about that. We have contacted the relevant security agencies and we hear the “kidnappers” have contacted the family. Although we are not aware if they have requested for any ransom or not.”

It was gathered that the kidnappers initially asked for N10million ransom for Chioma’s release, which was eventually negotiated down to N2million, but the kidnappers gave a deadline of Tuesday (today) for the payment of the ransom.

This has made the victim’s schoolmates and friends declare an open call for public support and donations to make up the ransom as the victim’s family found it difficult to raise the N2million demanded by the kidnappers.

One Collins C. in a post on social media platform captioned, “Francisca Oma Went Missing!” reportedly said, “She was abducted on Friday, and till now, we’ve not been able to find her.

“There have been plenty of calls from her end. She was kidnapped alongside two others on her way to a village in Anambra State for a friend’s dad’s funeral.

“It’s been two nights already, and I fear her safety. I thought it was a prank. I’m still struggling to believe it.

“They first demanded a ransom of N10million but Collins C. and God’swill A were able to beat it down to N2million.

“We were given a deadline, and we need your help. Francisca needs your help. You can offer us advice or suggestions on what next step to take. Pray for Francisca. Pray for her safety. Pray for her release.

“Help us raise the ransom. Whatever you can offer, no matter how little.”

Also confirming the incident, the Anambra State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Ikenga Tochukwu, called on the family and friends of the victim to come forward with information that would help the command to begin investigations.

Culled from Sahara Reporters

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