Some students of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, are rallying Around for donations to pay for the ransom placed on their schoolmate, Francisca Chioma, who was reportedly abducted on her way to attend a burial.
Chioma, a student of the
Science Education Department in the institution, was said to have been missing
since Friday, April 5, after she left Awka to attend a friend’s father’s burial
in a community in Anambra State.
It was gathered that every
attempt to reach her through her telephone proved abortive, as calls to her
line were not responded to, creating panic and apprehension among her colleagues,
friends, and family members.
The Chief Security Officer of
the institution, Ken Chukwurah, confirmed the development, adding that relevant
security agencies in the state have been alerted.
He revealed that the assailants
had made contact with the family.
He said, “Yes, it is true. DSS
has been fully in the picture since yesterday. We are working with them. We got
information that one of our students was on her way to attend a funeral
ceremony in a village outside Awka when the incident happened, and since then,
she has not been found.
“It is important to also note
that the incident did not happen in the school and we have to be clear about
that. We have contacted the relevant security agencies and we hear the
‘kidnappers’ have contacted the family. Although, we are not aware if they have
requested for any ransome or not.”
According to the reports
currently trending on social media, the kidnappers initially asked for N10m
ransom for Chioma’s release, which was eventually negotiated down to N2m.
It was gathered that the kidnappers also gave a deadline of Tuesday (today) for the payment of the ransom.
As a result, this made the
victim’s schoolmates and friends declare an open call for public support and
donations to make up the ransom, as the victim’s family found it difficult to
raise the N2m.
The post on social media by one
Collins C. was captioned, “Francisca Oma Went Missing!” and it reads, “She was
abducted on Friday, and till now, we’ve not been able to find her.
“There have been plenty of
calls from her end. She was kidnapped alongside two others on her way to a
village in Anambra state for a friend’s dad’s funeral.
“It’s been two nights already,
and I fear her safety. I thought it was a prank. I’m still struggling to
believe it.
“They first demanded a ransom
of N10m but Collins C. and God’swill A. were able to beat it down to N2m.
“We were given a deadline, and
we need your help. Francisca needs your help. You can offer us advice or
suggestions on what next step to take. Pray for Francisca. Pray for her safety.
Pray for her release.
Help us raise the ransom.
Whatever you can offer, no matter how little.”
When contacted on Tuesday, the
Anambra State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Ikenga Tochukwu, said the
command was aware of the incident and called on the family and friends of the
victim to come forward with information that can help the command to begin
investigations.
“Yes, the command is aware of
the unconfirmed information out there on the abduction of a UNIZIK student; and
we want to use this medium to invite the victim’s family, friends, or witnesses
to come forward with information that can help us embark on investigations,
please,” Ikenga added.
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