Kidnapped Nigerian professor escapes from captivity

Professor Oguejiofor Ujam, dean of the School of General Studies at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, who was recently kidnapped along the Opi-Nsukka-Ugwogo-Nike Road, has escaped captivity, according to the Enugu State Police.

Enugu State police spokesperson, Daniel Ndukwe, confirmed the professor’s escape in a statement on Tuesday, October 29. Professor Ujam was abducted on Sunday evening along a highway known for an increase in kidnap attacks. His escape follows a gun battle between police operatives and suspected kidnappers in the Neke-Uno area on Monday night. Police recovered an AK-47 rifle, two magazines with 22 rounds, and a chain of 39 live ammunition as the kidnappers fled with gunshot wounds.

The professor’s escape adds to ongoing security concerns in the region, where kidnappings for ransom have risen. Just hours before Ujam’s abduction, an official of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Emeason Chima, was kidnapped along the same road. Despite reports of the FRSC official’s kidnapping, police spokesperson Ndukwe has denied any recorded incident.

To address the surge in kidnappings, Enugu State Commissioner of Police, Kanayo Uzuegbu, has ordered the deployment of additional personnel and resources to strengthen security along the Opi-Nsukka-Ugwogo-Nike corridor.