Some students at Nnamdi Azikiwe University in Awka, Anambra State, are asking for donations to help pay the ransom for their friend and classmate, Miss Francisca Chioma, who was kidnapped while on her way to a burial.
Chioma, a student in the Science Education Department at the university, has been missing since Friday, April 5, after she left Awka to attend a friend’s father’s burial in a community in Anambra State.
Allub Times learned that efforts to contact her by phone have been unsuccessful, causing worry and fear among her classmates, friends, and family.
The institution’s Chief Security Officer, Ken Chukwurah, confirmed the situation and stated that the relevant security agencies in the state have been notified.
He disclosed that the attackers had reached out to 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.”
Social media reports indicate that kidnappers demanded N10m ransom for Chioma’s release, but it was later reduced to N2m through negotiations.
The kidnappers set a deadline of today (Tuesday) for the ransom payment.
Due to the family’s struggle to raise the N2m, the victim’s schoolmates and friends have requested public support and donations to help meet the ransom amount.
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.”
On Tuesday, the Anambra State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Ikenga Tochukwu, confirmed that the command was aware of the incident. He urged the victim’s family and friends to provide any information that could assist in starting the investigation.
“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.
