A Nigerian professor, Herbert Batta, who was kidnapped by gunmen in Imo State, South-East Nigeria, has regained his freedom, though the circumstances surrounding his release remain unclear.
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Professor Batta, a renowned academic in Science and Health Communications, currently heads the Department of Information and Media Studies at the University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. He was reportedly abducted on Tuesday while returning from a trip, along the Ngor-Okpala axis near the Sam Mbakwe Airport.
Details of the abduction were shared by a colleague who was with him during the incident. In a voice note sent to another faculty member, the colleague described how their vehicle was ambushed around 6 p.m. in broad daylight. “There were some vehicles ahead of us. Then we heard gunshots. I initially thought it was a confrontation involving police officers, but on a closer look, the attackers resembled Fulani men,” the colleague said.
The driver attempted to flee back towards the airport, but another group of gunmen had laid an ambush. Several gunshots were fired, and at least one person appeared to have been seriously wounded. “Our driver was taken, Professor Batta was taken,” the lecturer recalled, adding that other travelers were also abducted at random.
The spokesperson for the Imo State Police Command, Henry Okoye, confirmed the kidnapping incident on Wednesday but said he could not immediately confirm if Professor Batta was among the victims. “We have initiated action and are doing everything possible to rescue the victims,” he said.
However, a colleague of the professor, Professor Charles Obot, later confirmed to PREMIUM TIMES that Batta had been released. “I’ve spoken with him. He mandated me to disseminate the information that he is safe and currently at a police station in Owerri for documentation,” Obot stated. “I don’t know whether to say they were released or rescued from Fulani herdsmen kidnappers, but the important thing is—he’s been released.”
The university registrar, Blossom Okorie, has yet to comment on the matter.
As of press time, it remains unclear whether Professor Batta was rescued by security forces or released following ransom negotiations.
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