The Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Abia State University, Uturu, Godwin Emezue, has been abducted from a petrol station at Umuekwule, Amachara in Umuahia South Local Government Area of Abia State.
The incident occurred on Friday night while the professor and his wife were at the station to buy fuel.
No fewer than three hoodlums reportedly forcefully took Professor Emezue into their Lexus SUV and also collected his wife’s ATM card before fleeing the scene.
Chijioke Nwogu, the university spokesperson, said that the police in Abia State have acknowledged the kidnapping incident, explaining that the university learned of Mr. Emezue’s abduction through social media.
The police in Abia State, through a statement by their spokesperson Maureen Chinaka, confirmed the incident, stating it happened around 9:30 p.m. on Friday.
“The Abia State Police Command is deploying resources and assets including intelligence and technical aid towards unravelling the crime, safely rescuing the victim from his captors,” Ms Chinaka, an assistant superintendent of police, assured.
Ms. Chinaka called for calm among residents and urged them to remain vigilant and cooperative with the police by providing useful information.
The abduction of Godwin Emezue adds to the increasing instances of kidnapping for ransom in Abia State.
Last year, incidents included the abduction of a Chinese national and a Catholic priest and seminarian along the Okigwe-Umunneochi Road.
The police continue to investigate these cases and enhance security measures in the state.
