The Abia State Police Command, on Saturday, confirmed the kidnap of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics) of Abia State University Uturu, Prof. Godwin Emezue, while purchasing fuel at a filling station at Umuopara.

The command’s Public Relations Officer, Maureen Chinaka, disclosed this in a statement issued on behalf of the state Commissioner of Police, Kenechukwu Onwuemelie.

The statement read, “On 26/01/2024, at about 9.30 p.m., the Abia State Police Command received information that on the same date, at about 7 p.m., the Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Uturu ABSU, Prof Godwin Emezue, while in the company of his wife in their vehicle, was abducted by hoodlums while purchasing fuel at a petrol station in Umuopara, Umuahia South LGA.

“During the incident, the hoodlums confiscated his wife’s ATM card, dragged the Deputy Vice-Chancellor into a Lexus SUV, and drove away with the victim.

“The Abia State Police Command is deploying resources and assets including intelligence and technical aid towards unravelling the crime, and safely rescuing the victim from his captors.”

The statement noted that the police urged “Abians to remain calm and continue their legitimate activities while maintaining vigilance and being security conscious

“Furthermore, we seek the cooperation of the public, especially by way of providing any useful information that could be helpful in these particular circumstances, and in attaining enhanced security in the state, generally.”

Meanwhile, an ABSU source said as of the time of filing this report, the abductors have not made any contacts as regards any ransom.