Professor Herbert Batta, a senior academic at the University of Uyo (UNIUYO), Akwa Ibom State, has regained his freedom after being kidnapped by armed men in Imo State on Tuesday afternoon.
The professor, who heads the department of information and media studies at UNIUYO’s faculty of communication and media studies, was abducted along the Aba Road–Ngor Okpala axis in Imo State while returning from a personal trip.
While it has not been confirmed whether security forces intervened or a ransom was involved, his colleague, professor Charles Obot, confirmed on Wednesday that Batta had been freed.
“My colleague and brother, Professor Herbert Batta, who was kidnapped yesterday in Owerri on his way back from a trip, has just spoken with me from a police station in Owerri after being released or rescued,” Obot said in a statement.
“He delegated me to give this update on his behalf.”
Eyewitnesses recounted a harrowing encounter with the kidnappers, whom they described as looking like Fulani herdsmen.
“There were some vehicles ahead of us. We now heard gunshots. I thought the police were having a confrontation, but on a closer look, they looked like Fulani persons,” said one of the lecturers travelling with Prof. Batta.
According to the account, the kidnappers ambushed vehicles from both directions.
“Our driver was taken, Professor Batta was taken,” the eyewitness added, noting that random passengers were also abducted amidst a barrage of gunfire.
The police spokesperson in Imo State, DSP Henry Okoye, had earlier confirmed the kidnapping incident but said he could not verify if Batta was among the victims.
“We have initiated action on it. We are doing everything possible to see how we can rescue the victims,” Okoye stated.
Professor Batta is reportedly in stable condition and currently undergoing routine documentation procedures with the police in Owerri.
