By Amaechi Agbo

Abductors of the Abia State University, Uturu (ABSU) Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics), Prof. Godwin Emezue have been arrested.

Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, revealed this during his monthly media chat with journalists at Government House, Umuahia.

The governor while providing update on the kidnap incident, said the leader of the gang was picked up at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, while trying to board a flight to Turkey, adding that the second mastermind was arrested in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

“The leader of the gang that kidnapped ABSU DVC was picked at MMIA on his way to Turkey. The 2nd suspect was arrested in PH. We take security very serious in Abia using modern tools and systems,” the governor said.

The governor maintained that the two suspects had since been returned to Abia State to answer for their alleged crimes, adding that the arrests were made possible by the efforts of Operation Crush, a joint security team set up by his administration, which is yielding the desired results in rooting out criminals.

Prof Emezue was kidnapped on Friday 26th January 2024 inside a fueling station around Umuahia North LGA in Abia State, and whisked away by his Kidnappers. He was released 11 days later.

A ransom of 25Million was reportedly paid by his Family which was a condition for his release

It was gathered that the kidnappers had demanded a ransom of 35Million from his family, they however threatened to kill him after the family pleaded with a cash of N5 million.

The Kidnappers who showed footage of how they tortured the Professor threatened to kill him if the family fails to pay N20 million before the end of Saturday, the traumatized family rallied and raised the money which they gave in Cash to the Kidnappers who issued a warning against involving Security agencies.