UNIZIK Female Student Freed By Kidnappers After Paying Ransom

A female student of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka (UNIZIK), Anambra State, Francisca Chioma, who was abducted by kidnappers last week has regained freedom five days after an undisclosed amount of ransom was paid.

The kidnapping, occurred as Chioma was en route to a burial in the Omasi community, Ayamelum Local Government Area, Anambra State.

The ordeal began last week when Chioma and a friend inadvertently became involved in a kidnapping operation while they were near the Omasiunu area. The kidnappers, targeting another individual—a noted academic doctor—mistakenly abducted Chioma and her friend instead. The intended target was also later abducted by the group.

Ken Chukwurah, the Chief Security Officer of the university, shared that the kidnappers demanded a hefty ransom of N10 million initially, which was later negotiated down to N2 million. Students and friends of Chioma rallied together, calling for donations to gather the ransom amount needed for her release.

Chioma’s freedom came after five days in captivity, during which time she and her friend were forced to trek across rugged terrain and were taken across state lines to Nsukka in Enugu State. Security agencies, working on leads, managed to track the location of the abductees, aiding in their eventual release.

In an unfortunate revelation, Chioma shared that their abductors were from outside the state, and the actual target of the kidnapping was compelled to negotiate a ransom of N20 million. These negotiations were still ongoing at the time of her release.