The Vice-Chancellor, Abia State University, Uturu (ABSU), Prof. Onyemachi Maxwell Ogbulu has advised members of the public, parents of the abducted students and the ABSU community to remain calm as no effort would be spared in ensuring the safety of their staff and students.
Prof. Ogbulu who stated this today during a press conference in Umuahia, Abia state in respect of the recent security challenge at Okigwe, Imo state, involving some students of Abia State University, added that the management of the university has taken steps to avert further occurrence of the ugly incident.
In his words: “Let me state very clearly that on Wednesday, 5th May, 2021, some passenger, including students of the University, were moving in a mini van from Uturu to Okigwe, Imo State, between 7pm – 8pm, when they ran into yet to be identified gang of hoodlums operating along the Okigwe-Uturu Road, who marched them into the nearby forest.”
Ogbulu disclosed that two of the students managed to escape from the hoodlums, while one other student is still being held at a yet to be identified location.
The Vice-chancellor, ABSU, Prof. Onyemachi Maxwell Ogbulu, (Middle), the University’s Registrar, Dr. Acho Elendu (First Left), and the University’s Librarian, Prof. Udo Nwokocha (First Right) during a press conference in Umuahia Abia State.
He revealed that the university management is working assiduously in assisting both Imo and Abia state governments and law enforcement agencies, to rescue the remaining victim.
The Vice-Chancellor further commended the Abia State Governor, OkezieVictor Ikpeazu (Ph.D) for his prompt response in addressing this challenge and for his assurances that no criminal operating within our environment will be allowed to escape justice.
He stated that the state government under Gov. Ikpeazu takes the job of protecting lives and property of Abians and visitors to the state very seriously.
Ogbulu, however, revealed that contacts have been made from the kidnappers to the student’s family, noting that the details remained sketchy.
He advised staff and students of the institution to observe security tips by avoiding traveling late in the night or very early in the morning.
The university boss, maintained that the citadel of learning is safe, as staff and students are going about their normal activities, noting that lecture time has been adjusted from 9 am to 4 pm daily as part of the security measures proactively put in place.
Meanwhile, the Abia state commissioner for Information, Chief John Okiyi Kalu has stated that Gov. Ikpeazu is directly coordinating efforts to ensure safe return of the student and the others as quickly as possible.
“Gov. Ikpeazu has given directive for security reinforcement along the affected route to prevent future occurrence”, he further highlighted.
