After being held captive for 11 days, Professor Godwin Emezue, the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academics) of Abia State University (ABSU), was freed on Tuesday night, February 6, 2024.
On January 26, Professor Emezue was kidnapped from a filling station in Umuahia.
The kidnappers initially demanded a ransom of N35 million, threatening to kill the professor when negotiations started at N5 million.
According to people close to the family, the kidnappers sent a video of Professor Emezue being beaten and threatened to kill him if they didn’t get N20 million by Saturday.
They also advised against involving security personnel.
Afterwards, the abductors requested an extra N5 million, stating that they were under orders to murder Professor Emezue but would change their minds if the family complied promptly.
Under immense pressure, the family reportedly paid N25 million to secure his release.
Professor Emezue is currently receiving medical attention at an undisclosed hospital.