A lecturer at the faculty of Communication and Media Studies in the University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Prof Herbert Batta who was kidnapped by gunmen on Tuesday has been freed, but details of release still sketchy as at the time of this report.
Penpushing reports that Nigerian Professor who is currently the head of the Information and Media Studies Department in the university was abducted on his way back from a trip, but it was not clear if he was freed by security operatives or after the payment of ransom.
The victim’s colleague who sent a voice note to another colleague narrated that they had passed the Sam Mbakwe Airport heading toward Okpala when the incident occurred between 6 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.
Penpushing further reports that the driver tried to reverse, aiming at getting back to the airport axis, only to meet another set of kidnappers who lay in ambush around there, recalling that there was sufficient daylight when the attack occurred
“There were some vehicles ahead of us. We now heard gunshots. I thought the police were having a confrontation, but on a closer look, they look like Fulani persons in appearance’, he said
“We were facing them while the ones behind were coming towards us. Someone was shot, and I felt the man may have died because of the way he was lying there, almost lifeless. Our driver was taken, Professor Batta was taken,” the lecturer said, adding that others were also taken randomly. There were so much gunshots that I feared for stray bullets’, he added.
Penpushing also reports that, the registrar of the University of Uyo, Blossom Okorie where the kidnapped professor works, has since kept mute over the development, but Professor, Charles Obot, from the same faculty as the victim, said the victim has been released.
“I don’t know whether to say they were eventually released or rescued from the Fulani herdsmen kidnappers. I’ve spoken with him. He mandated me to disseminate the information that he was trying to do some usual documentation at a police station in Owerri. He’s been released. That’s the better news’, Obot stated.
Penpushing reports that Akwa Ibom State Police Command, Henry Okoye, confirmed the incident on Wednesday, however, said he was yet to be officially briefed to ascertain if the professor is among those abducted.
“I’m aware of the kidnapping incident that occurred along Aba Road – Ngor-Okpala, after the airport. We have initiated action on it. We are doing everything possible to see how we can rescue the victims, but I don’t know if this professor is involved’. Okoye stated.
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