Rita Odafe
Abduction of Professor Herbert Batta and Fellow Passengers
Professor Herbert Batta, who leads the Media and Information Technology department at the University of Uyo, has been taken hostage along with several other individuals.
The incident occurred on May 6, 2025, around 6:25 p.m. when armed men attacked travelers on the Owerri-Aba Highway within the Ngor Okpala region of Imo State.
Reports indicate that the assailants fatally shot the driver of a Toyota Hilux with the plate number BWR 692 GJ, which is registered in the Federal Capital Territory.
A coordinated response team involving the military, police, Department of State Services (DSS), and local vigilantes is actively searching for the kidnappers and working to rescue the abducted individuals.
“Currently, the identities of the other kidnapped travelers are still to be confirmed. Efforts to catch the criminals and free the victims are ongoing,” shared a reliable source.
