Prof. Edet Ekpenyong, a lecturer in the Department of Zoology, University of Calabar, has been kidnapped by gunmen while he was jogging on campus. The lecturer was said to have been kidnapped close to his residence during his morning routine exercise and dragged for over 100 metres on the road by his abductors.
This is coming barely one week after workers of the institution under the aegis of Academy and Combined Concerned Workers raised the alarm over an alleged plot to kidnap some principal officers of the institution.
The university had its 30th convocation ceremony on Saturday. It was learnt on Sunday that there was intense shooting before the gunmen whisked Prof. Edet away into a waiting boat at about 6.40am. A source, however, disclosed that a mobile telephone handset belonging to one of the kidnappers was left behind after the operation, adding that at least two persons had been arrested. He said, “It was a fierce battle as the kidnappers overwhelmed the school security men. There were gunshots. This whole thing happened close to the professor’s house. They dragged him on the floor for close to 100 metres before they eventually pulled him into the vehicle.
“The kidnappers escaped through a waiting boat at the Big Qua River, which shares boundary with the university. So far, two arrests have been made as at Friday. One of the kidnappers’ mobile handset fell down and it has led to the arrest of two people.”
Meanwhile, the acting Head of Department of Modern Languages in the university, Dr. Sampson Uzuanke, had on behalf of lecturers, drawn the attention of security agencies to the threat by hoodlums to kidnap some principal officers of the institution or their cronies.
“We got the information that some disgruntled elements who are working with some forces outside the university have concluded plans to kidnap top principal officers or their children or wards.“Information at our disposal have shown that those behind the dastardly plot have gone ahead to recruit cultists and hoodlums to cause mayhem within the academic community. “Such threats can no longer be taken lightly as this group, in collaboration with other concerned workers of the university and security agency, will go the whole hog to ensure that those behind it are arrested and made to face the wrath of the law,” he said. When contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Irene Ugbo, said investigation was ongoing. “We are top of the situation,” she said.
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