UNIABUJA confirms release of abducted professors, children

Two professors and four other people abducted by bandits from the University of Abuja by gunmen on Tuesday have been released.

UNIABUJA spokesman, Habib Yakoob, confirmed this development on Friday.

“All the abducted persons have been released. The development is just unfolding so we decided to let the world know. No ransom was paid,” he said.

The university also announced their release in a post on Facebook, saying, “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.“

The gunmen reportedly attacked the staff quarters of the university in the early hours on Tuesday, shooting intermittently to scare rescuers away and abducted six persons.

Those abducted are Joseph Obansa, a professor of economics, and his son; Ferguson Tobins, a lecturer in the department of engineering; Sambo Mohammed, a senior non-academic staff, and nine-year-old Divine Ubom, and 15-year-old Ayomide, children of Bassey Ubom, a professor at the institution.

The abductors had contacted the families of the victims on Wednesday, demanding a ransom of N300 million.