FROM IKHILI EBALU, BENIN CITY
Kidnapped Benin Zonal Coordinator, Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, Professor Monday Igbafe, has reportedly escaped from his abductors.
The lecturer at Ambrose Alli University, AAU, Ekpoma, was allegedly whisked away at about 9pm on Saturday, September 28 by gunmen who laid siege at his residence in Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area.
The Benin Zone comprises University of Benin, UNIBEN, Benin City; Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma; Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko; Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology, OAUSTECT, Okitipupa; Delta State University, DELSU, Abraka.
Others are Federal University of Petroleum Resources, FUPRE, Effurun.University of Delta, UNIDEL, Agbor, Delta State; University of Science and Technology, DSUST, Ozoro, and Dennis Osadebe University, DOU, Asaba.
A former Chairman of Owan West Local Government Area, Ofeimu Richard, disclosed this to AljazirahNigeria in a telephone call.
Ofeimu said, “as I speak to you, the professor who is my brother has escaped from his abductors, so we thank God for his mercies.But we don’t want to blow it high for security reasons,” he stated.
When contacted on one of his telephone lines, Professor Igbafe said, ” it is true I am out, but I am on my way to the clinic for treatment. I will call you later, thanks”, he concluded.
Confirming his freedom, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Joel Yamu, said the command is aware of the kidnap, adding that it is after the suspects.
“The command is aware of the report. Operatives of Ekpoma Division mounted pressure on the kidnappers which led to his escape. We are on the trail of the suspects to ensure that they are brought to book.”
