Kidnapped UNIPORT Lecturer regains freedom after two months in captivity

Barth Ndubuwah, Port Harcourt

The Rivers State Police Command said it has rescued Dr. Joe Ayuwo, a Lecturer in the Department of Linguistics and Communication Studies of the University of Port Harcourt, Choba Rivers State.

This is contained in a press release issued in Port Harcourt by the PPRO, Nnamdi Omoni, Rivers State Command.

According to the statement, the University Don  was abducted   on  21/2/2021 along Bori Road by unknown gunmen while returning from a function in Andoni Local Government Area, was taken hostage and had been in captivity until his release at about 2200hrs of 15/3/2021.

The PPRO said “Ayuwo’s release was made possible due largely to the intense and relentless pressure mounted by the Police, who had before now, through technical intelligence, spotted their location and was closing in on them. The kidnappers upon seeing the red flag abandoned the victim and took to flight,” he explained.

The statement said the released victim is currently receiving medical attention and will soon reunite with his family and friends.

“Recall that since the abduction of the Traditional Ruler, HRH Aaron Ikuru and the University Don, the Police in synergy with other Security Agencies have been working assiduously to ensure their unconditional release with careful deployment of tact and diplomacy in the operations, while avoiding bloody confrontation that would have led to fatalities,”Omoni said

With the release of the Lecturer, the PPRO said the coast is now clear for the release of the Traditional Ruler, as all energies will now be channeled towards ensuring his release.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Eboka Friday has appealed to the public to remain calm as the Command is poised to rid the State of the menace posed by criminal elements.