Kidnapped UNIPORT lecturer regains freedom

THE University Of Port Harcourt lecturer, Professor John Okoli, who was kidnapped by some gunmen on Monday, has regained his freedom.

Okoli was released by his abductors on Wednesday after being held hostage for three days.

The university don, who is of the Faculty of Engineering, UNIPORT, was taken away from his residence in Omuoko Aluu community in the Before Okoli’s abduction, Dr. Reginald Ohiri of the Department of Biochemistry, UNIPORT, had been kidnapped and later released by unidentified hoodlums.

The spate of abduction of the institution’s lecturers had caused panic among academic and non-academic staff of the university.

Speaking on the release, the UNIPORT spokesman, Dr. William Wodi, told our correspondent that Okoli regained his freedom Wednesday night.

“Yes, he (Professor Okoli) has been freed. He regained his freedom on Wednesday night. We are happy to see him back,” Wodi said.

Confirming the release of the don, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Nnamdi Omoni, explained that Okoli regained his freedom without the payment of any ransom.

Omoni, who spoke with newsmen in Port Harcourt on Thursday, added that the university don had been reunited with his family.

He said, “Professor Okoli has been released. He was released in the night on Wednesday and no ransom was paid.” Local Government Area of the state.