Professor Oguejiofo Ujam, a senior lecturer and Dean of the School of General Studies at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), was reportedly abducted on Sunday along the Ugwuogo-Nike-Opi-Nsukka Road in Enugu State. This incident adds to a troubling spate of kidnappings along the same route over the past week.
The news of Ujam’s abduction was first shared by social media influencer Chijinkem Ugwuanyi, who posted on his Facebook page, “Prof Oguejiofo T. Ujam was kidnapped yesterday morning along Ugwuogo-Nike-Opi-Nsukka road. He is a lecturer at the Department of Pure and Industrial Chemistry, and Dean, School of General Studies, University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Our prayers are needed for his safe return to us, unharmed.”
A lecturer at UNN, who requested anonymity, confirmed the incident had been shared on the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) UNN chapter’s WhatsApp group. “Prof. Oguejiofor Ujam, the Dean of GS was kidnapped this morning along Opi-Enugu Road. Please, we need urgent help,” read the post circulating within the ASUU platform.
Despite the presence of police and military checkpoints along this stretch, reports indicate that kidnappings have continued to increase, with several other travellers allegedly abducted in recent days. Concern over the frequency of these incidents has grown as residents and commuters call for intensified security measures along the route.
As of now, the Enugu Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Daniel Ndukwe, has yet to comment on the matter.