▪︎ No ransom paid, says University
Vice Chancellor of University of Abuja, Professor Abdul-Rasheed Na’Allah on Friday morning announced that a professor, Joseph Obansa, and five staff members and their children abducted by bandits at the University staff quarters have been rescued.
In a message, Na’Allah said in a message to the university community on a platform:
ABDUCTED U of A STAFF: FREE AT LAST!
“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. World Class Standards, Integrity, National Unity！This is the model University！
God is merciful！
AbdulRasheed
A statement by the school authority later reads in part, “The victims were rescued following the operations of the combined security forces including the police, DSS, Military, and University of Abuja Safety Officers.
“Though the abductors earlier demanded payment of three hundred million (N300, 000,000) naira ransom, our staff were rescued without any payment at all.
“The University management expresses gratitude to God Almighty; the joint forces, including military, DSS, University of Abuja safety officers for the unconditional release of our staff.
“At the moment, the University community is in wild jubilation as staff and students are congratulating and hugging themselves for this good news.
“The management of the University is also grateful to all our staff, well-meaning Nigerians, who empathized with us in that moment of tribulation and trial. Without your relentless prayers and support, we might still be in a terrible mood.”
Recall that the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) had given a 48 hours ultimatum for the release of those abducted