The suspected kidnappers of Dr. Memfin Ekpo, the husband of the Vice-Chancellor of the University of uyo, Prof. Comfort Ekpo, have demanded a N100m ranson for his release.


Ekpo is an Associate Professor of Pathology and he was reportedly kidnapped during a church service on Sunday in Uyo.


A member of the family, who declined to be named, told THE PUNCH on Tuesday in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital that the kidnappers had made contact with Ekpo’s relatives. The source did not, however, state when the contact was made or with whom.


It was not also possible to confirm the information from the vice-chancellor.


Meanwhile, the Academic Staff Union of Universities, University of Uyo branch has given security agencies 72 hours to rescue the vice-chancellor’s husband. Members of the union, in a protest march in Uyo, also threatened to withdraw their services if security agencies failed to rescue the victim.


The protesting lecturers marched from the main campus of the institution along Ikpa Road through major streets of the state capital, chanting solidarity songs. They also called on the state government to ensure the quick release of their colleague.


Some of the placards by the lecturers read, ‘Stop kidnapping UNIUYO lecturers; leave academics alone,’ ‘Akwa Ibom needs space for progress, leave lecturers alone.’


Speaking on the development, the Secretary of ASUU, UNIUYO branch, Mr. N.M. Anyim, said that in March 2010, four of its members were kidnapped. Anyim explained that the union had received assurances from the state government and security agencies that its members would be protected from further attacks.


But prior to that, the Acting Head, Department of Fine and Industrial Arts, Dr. Johnson Ekanem, was kidnapped in December 2010, he stated. The secretary added that the union had received information that Ekpo’s life was in danger.


He said, “While we wait for the release of our colleague, the union has resolved that security agencies should be given 72 hours to effect the release of Dr. Memfin Ekpo. That failure to do so within the stipulated time will cause members of the union to withdraw their services indefinitely until such a time that their security can be guaranteed.


“For avoidance of doubt, the withdrawal of services will include our members’ participation in the ongoing voter registration. The deadline for the release of our member expires on Wednesday, January 19, 2011.”


Anyim added that members of the union had decided to opt for the withdrawal as a response to the kidnap of any of them.


On Monday, the Commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom State Command, Mr. Sani Magaji, confirmed the incident, saying it appeared to be ‘an internal arrangement.’ He lamented that UNIUYO authorities were not willing to volunteer information on the development.


Magaji said, “It is not a kidnap per se; the circumstances surrounding the kidnap of the husband of the UNIUYO vice-chancellor looks more like an arrangement within the university. All our enquiries are to no avail.


“They are not cooperating with the police. They know what is happening. If it a kidnapping, by now they would have demanded a ransom.”


When contacted, the wife of the kidnnaped victim/vice-chancellor, University of Uyo, Prof. Comfort Ekpo.


She said, “If my husband was taken away and you decided to write that kind of story, has anybody paid you to do so. What do you intend to achieve by writing such a story. I don’t have anything to say for now.”


The Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Onyeka Orji, said that the command had intensified efforts to rescue the husband of the vice-chancellor. On the issue of N100m ransom, Orji said the the family members should remained calm and should not pay any ransom, adding that the command was on top of the situation. He said, “You know we don’t encourage the payment of ransom. The command is on top of the situation.”

http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art201101192291271

It is time Nigerians take this kidnapping of people serious. It is high time we work as a nation to fight crime.

Thank God, the VC's Husband has been release according to Punch Newspaper of 4th February.

I pray this will not happen again to any UNIUYO Staff again - Amen