University of Abuja main gate
Dr Kassim Umaru, chairman of the Academic Staff Union, University of Abuja Chapter on Tuesday confirmed two professors and their family members numbering seven persons were kidnapped in the early morning raid on the institution.
The ASUU chapter leader however called for prayers for the release of the victims.
He said, “Those kidnapped are Prof. Obansa and his son, Prof. Oboscolo with his son and daughter, Sambo Muhammed, who is a non-Academic Staff and Dr Tobins.
“We condemn the attack and we covet your prayers for their safe return.”
The gunmen had stormed the Senior Staff Quarters of the UNIABUJA in Giri, Gwagwalada Area Council of the FCT on Tuesday around 1am, and left with the abductees.
The son of a professor, who was among those abducted, Fidelis Obansa, said he was initially abducted alongside his father and brother but was later released.
He said, “We started hearing gunshots around 12.30 am; we thought they were armed robbers.
“Some minutes later, they entered our house and took away our laptops and money; they went with the three of us from my family – my dad, my younger brother and I.
“They later released me and one Mrs Oboscolo; initially I counted eight people in the bush. They took six away. My brother and dad are still with them.”
Another lecturer, Prof. Bassey Udom, whose two children were abducted, said he narrowly escaped.
He said, “The men broke into my house, ransacked everywhere and stole my phones, laptops, money, broke my doors, damaged all the bulbs and left with my children. My nine-year-old boy and his sister would now be trekking in the forest in night wears. This is unfortunate.”
The Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Abdul-Rasheed Na’Allah said, “This is becoming a daily affair. It is very sad that three staff members and three of their children have been abducted.”
Also, the Commissioner of Police, FTC Police Command, Babaji Sunday, said, “A joint operation involving the police, men of the Nigerian Army and others have been launched to rescue the victims.”
Also confirming the incident, the police spokesperson, DSP Josephine Adeh , in a statement on Tuesday said preliminary investigations revealed that six persons were taken away.
It partly read, “The CP noted that a combined team of the Police and personnel of the Nigerian Army 176 Guards Battalion were mobilised to the area to protect the citizens. Preliminary investigations however revealed that six persons were allegedly abducted by the criminals on sighting the security operatives. “