Professors, children abducted from UNIABUJA staff quarters regain freedom

The staff of the University of Abuja who were abducted by gunmen in the early hours of Tuesday, have reportedly regained their freedom.

Habib Yakoob, UNIABUJA spokesman, confirmed the development to TheCable on Friday.

“Yes, all the abducted persons have been released. The development is just unfolding so we decided to let the world know. No ransom was paid,” he said.

The university also announced their release in a post on Facebook.

”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,” the post read.

“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.“

The gunmen were said to have attacked the staff quarters of the university on Tuesday, shooting sporadically and abducting six persons.

Those abducted are Joseph Obansa, a professor of economics, and his son; Ferguson Tobins, a lecturer in the department of engineering; Sambo Mohammed, a senior non-academic staff, and nine-year-old Divine Ubom, and 15-year-old Ayomide, children of Bassey Ubom, a professor at the institution.

The abductors had contacted the families of the victims on Wednesday, demanding a ransom of N300 million.