University of Nigeria Professor Escapes Captivity After Kidnap on Enugu Road
Professor Oguejiofor Ujam, dean at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, escaped from captivity after being kidnapped on the Opi-Nsukka-Ugwogo-Nike Road in Enugu State.
Chris Oyeoku Okafor 
Oguejiofor Ujam, a professor and dean at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, escaped captivity after being kidnapped along the Opi-Nsukka-Ugwogo-Nike Road in Igbo-Etiti Local Government Area of Enugu State. The incident occurred on Sunday evening, sparking a swift response from police in the region.
The Enugu State Police Public Relations Officer, Daniel Ndukwe, confirmed the professor’s escape in a statement issued on Tuesday night. According to Mr. Ndukwe, Ujam was abducted while traveling along the notorious stretch of road plagued by recent abduction cases.
How the Escape Happened
In the initial police response to the professor’s abduction, a separate kidnap attack was foiled on Monday evening in the Neke-Uno Axis of the Opi-Nsukka-Ugwogo-Nike Road. Mr. Ndukwe revealed that an intense gunfire exchange between police operatives and the kidnappers forced the suspects to flee, leaving behind an AK-47 rifle, two magazines with 22 rounds, and a chain of 39 live ammunition. Following this altercation, further police operations reportedly facilitated the escape of Professor Ujam from his abductors later that night.
The police spokesperson noted that Enugu State’s Commissioner of Police, Kanayo Uzuegbu, has deployed additional officers and resources to the area. This heightened security is aimed at curbing the recent spike in abductions targeting travelers on the Opi-Nsukka-Ugwogo-Nike Road.
The incident involving Professor Ujam is the latest in a troubling pattern of abductions in Enugu State. Just a day before his kidnapping, an official of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) was also abducted along the same road near Maduka University in Ekwegbe. The FRSC officer, identified as Emeason Chima, remains in captivity as of this report. Although multiple sources confirmed this incident, Mr. Ndukwe asserted that no such event had been officially recorded.
In recent months, the Opi-Nsukka-Ugwogo-Nike Road has become a hotspot for kidnappers targeting civil servants, business people, politicians, and students. Local authorities are working to address the growing security challenges faced by residents and travelers in the area.
