Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have reportedly abducted a senior lecturer in the Department of Philosophy, Prince Abubakar Audu University (PAAU), Anyigba, Kogi State, Professor John Ebeh.
The assailants are reportedly demanding a N10 million ransom for his release.
An eyewitness said the hoodlums in their number invaded the don’s house in Agbeji, a suburb of Anyigba in Dekina Local Government Area, around 7pm on Thursday.
They reportedly whisked him away, after sporadic shootings to scare people in his vicinity.
According to a neighbor who identified himself as Akpai, “The hoodlums operated in a commando manner. It was swift. We noticed a car trailing him furiously; we took it as one of his friends or colleagues, not until we heard gunshots around his gate.”
A family source said the don was negotiating towards the gate of his house at Agbeji, a settlement along Anyigba-Ochadamu-Itobe road when a vehicle suddenly pulled up and blocked his car.
“Professor Ebeh was almost at the gate of his house at Agbeji, on his way from the town when the incident happened.
“He had even given out a signal to his people to open the gate of his house when some people emerged suddenly from their hideout, and started shooting sporadically.
“Amidst the confusion, someone drove in furiously and blocked his car. Some masked people alighted from the vehicle and whisked him away at gunpoint. His abductors called the family on Friday night, demanding N10m,” the source said.
Though the university authorities have yet to issue a statement on the incident, one of the victim’s colleagues said, “The kidnapping (of the professor) came to us as a shock. I have just visited his family to sympathize with them.”
VANGUARD
