A group of gunmen abducted three students of the University of Calabar (UNICAL) on Thursday, March 28. They have since demanded N14 million for the release of two of the students, as reported by FIJ.
The families of the victims were contacted by the kidnappers, who informed them of their demands. According to a source familiar with the situation, the kidnappers asked for N6 million to release Damilola Dickson and N8 million for Ugwu Chukwuemeka, both students in the genetics and biotechnology department.
Although FIJ’s source at the school could not confirm the specific amount demanded by the kidnappers for Ojang bo Ebejin, a 200-level student of medicine and surgery, he did reveal that it was also in millions of naira.
“They (the kidnappers) are communicating with the parents of the students. I don’t know for certain the amount they want for the third student, but it’s also millions of naira,” the source told FIJ.
On April 1 some gunmen had kidnapped three medical students of the University at one of its hostels.
Confirming the abduction, the spokesman for the Cross River State Police Command, SP Irene Ugbo, said the command along with other security agencies had launched a manhunt for criminals and ensure the rescue of the victims.
Ugbo said the students were abducted on the night of Thursday, March 28 at one of the university’s hostels inside the campus but did not provide further information.
According to the police spokesman, “the police are working in collaboration with other agencies to rescue the students.”