By Praise Chinecherem
Miss Francisca Chioma, the kidnapped student of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, has regained freedom barely four days after her abduction.
Chioma was reportedly kidnapped on Friday by yet-to-be-identified gunmen on her was to a friend’s father’s burial ceremony around the Omasi community in Ayamelum Local Government Area of the State.
The kidnappers were said to have eventually made contact with her family, informing them that she was held hostage in their den, demanding N10 million as ransom for her release. The ransom was later negotiated down to N2 million
The abductors were said to have given a deadline of Tuesday, April 9 for payment of the ransom, or else they would ‘harm’ her.
The victim’s schoolmates and friends, as a result, decided to solicit for public support and donation to make up the ransom, following the inability of victim’s family to raise the N2m.
Confirming Chioma’s freedom from her captors’ den, a friend of the the victim, Favour Ubani, said she had been re-united with her family.
“God does not fail! Francisca has been rescued. It’s been a rollercoaster of a ride, and I can’t explain how I’ve been feeling since Saturday. Thank you so much for coming through for us. God bless you. She would relate her experience as soon as she can,” Ubani wrote on social media.
Corroborating the report, another social media user, Samuel Chinemerem Onyeji, wrote: “Guys una too much abeg. Both ur prayers and your funds raising .
“I lack words to express my profound gratitude to Almighty who hears and answers prayers of his children. Especially you, thank you so much.
“Francisca Oma has been released from kidnapper den. To God be praised.”
As at the time of filing this report, it is not yet clear as to the circumstances surrounding the release of the victim, with respect to the condition for her release.
When contacted, Spokesperson of the Anambra State Police Command, SP Ikenga Tochukwu, said he did not have any information on the victim’s freedom.
