Students Raise The Alarm Over Abduction Of 3 Undergraduates at UNICAL Hostel
By Ndifon JOSEPH
The students of the University of Calabar (UNICAL) have raised the alarm over the abduction of three undergraduates at the Freedom Hostel situated at the staff quarters.
The Freedom Hostel is owned by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
The abducted students, whose identities as released by the Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Florence Banku Obi, include Dickson Oluwadamilola Ayomide of Genetics and Biotechnology, Ojang Precious Ebijin of Medicine and Surgery, and Ugwu Chukwuemeka, also of Genetics and Biotechnology departments of the University.
Eye witness said the gun trotting men stormed the hostel on March 29, 2024 about 7:00pm quietly and subsequently whisked away their victims into unknown destination.
The witness, who simple gave his name as Emmanuel, described the conduct of the kidnappers as very brazen and terrifying.
He said: "The kidnappers exuded a fine level of civility during the entire process. Most of us even thought they were security personnel. Force was somehow applied when the guy resisted, yet they even had time to exchange words.
"What happened was simply a case of negligence, mostly on the side of the managers of the hostel (ASUU). It's a private hostel, owned and managed by ASUU.
"A hostel that's situated close to the water-way, is expected to have adequate security by outting place at least iron bar gate. To worsen the case, the hostel have not had electricity for over two weeks now.
However, the offices of the Special Assistant Students' Affairs and the Special Assistant Students' Orientation to the Governor of Cross River State, the Student Union Government (SUG), and law enforcement agencies, have commenced a comprehensive investigation into the incident and see how they can rescue the victims unhurt.
