Police operatives in Owerri, Imo State, have rescued Professor Herbert Batta, a lecturer in the Faculty of Communication and Media Studies of the University of Uyo (UNIUYO), Akwa Ibom State.
LEADERSHIP gathered, the lecturer known for his critical dispositions to the prevailing socio-economic challenges and a social commentator on other local, national and international issues, was kidnapped Tuesday afternoon, while returning from a trip outside the state.
“Professor Herbert Batta is reported to have been kidnapped at Owerri in Imo State while returning from a trip yesterday (Tuesday) afternoon.
“Our security agencies need to step up efforts. Prof. has been a great blessing to generations of communication scholars and researchers.”
One of his ex-students raised the alarm Tuesday evening, “His freedom would mean so much to the academic world and society at large. May God Almighty ensure his safety and facilitate his freedom.”
His colleague of the same faculty, Professor Charles Obot, broke the news of his freedom on Wednesday, disclosing that Prof. Batta, who was promoted to the rank of Professor (in Science, Health and Environmental Journalism) in September 2024, had been rescued from the kidnappers’ dungeon and was currently kept at the Owerri Police station.
“My colleague and brother, Professor Herbert Batta, who was kidnapped yesterday (Tuesday) in Owerri on his way back from a trip, has just spoken with me from a Police Station in Owerri after being released or rescued.
“As at the time of speaking to you now, he was still at the Police station, and he delegated me to give this update on his behalf,” Prof. Obot, declared amid outpouring of excitement and joy from students and colleagues at both the Nwaniba main campus and Ikpa Road town campus of the federal university.
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