Sophia Michaels
Some students of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, are rallying Around for donations to pay for the ransom placed on their schoolmate, Francisca Chioma, who was reportedly abducted on her way to attend a burial.
Chioma, a student of the Science Education Department in the institution, was said to have been missing since Friday, April 5, after she left Awka to attend a friend’s father’s burial in a community in Anambra State.
It was gathered that every attempt to reach her through her telephone proved abortive, as calls to her line were not responded to, creating panic and apprehension among her colleagues, friends, and family members.
The Chief Security Officer of the institution, Ken Chukwurah, confirmed the development, adding that relevant security agencies in the state have been alerted.
He revealed that the assailants had made contact with 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.”
According to the reports currently trending on social media, the kidnappers initially asked for N10m ransom for Chioma’s release, which was eventually negotiated down to N2m.
It was gathered that the kidnappers also gave a deadline of Tuesday (today) for the payment of the ransom.
As a result, this made the victim’s schoolmates and friends declare an open call for public support and donations to make up the ransom, as the victim’s family found it difficult to raise the N2m.
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.”
When contacted on Tuesday, the Anambra State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Ikenga Tochukwu, said the command was aware of the incident and called on the family and friends of the victim to come forward with information that can help the command to begin investigations.
“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.
