Chukwudi Akasike,
Port Harcourt THE University Of Port Harcourt lecturer, Professor John Okoli, who was kidnapped by unknown gunmen on Monday, has regained his freedom.
Okoli was released by his abductors Wednesday night after being held hostage for three days by his kidnappers.
The university don, who is of the Faculty of Engineering, UNIPORT, was taken away from his resident in Omuoko Aluu community in Ikwerre Local Government Area of the state.
It will be recalled that before Okoli’s abduction, Dr. Reginald Ohiri of the Department of Biochemistry, UNIPORT, had been whisked away and released by unidentified hoodlums.
The spate of abduction of the institution’s lecturers had caused panic among academic and non-academic staff of the university.
Speaking on his release, UNIPORT spokesman, Dr. William Wodi, told our correspondent that Professor Okoli regained his freedom Wednesday night.
“Yes, he (Professor Okoli) has been freed. He regained his freedom Wednesday night. We are happy to see him back,” Wodi stressed.
Confirming the release of the don, the State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Nnamdi Omoni, explained that Okoli regained freedom without the payment of any ransom.
Omoni, who spoke with newsmen in Port Harcourt on Thursday, added that the university don had reunited with his (Okoli) family.
“Professor Okoli has been released. He was released in the night on Wednesday and no ransom was paid,” the state police spokesman stressed.
– PUNCH
