Several students from Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, have initiated a call for donations to contribute towards the ransom demanded for their abducted friend and schoolmate, Miss Francisca Chioma. Chioma, a student of the Science Education Department at the university, was reportedly kidnapped while en route to attend a burial.
According to reports, Chioma has been missing since Friday, April 5, after departing Awka to attend the burial ceremony of a friend’s father in a community within Anambra State. Despite numerous attempts to reach her via phone calls, she remained unresponsive, causing anxiety and fear among her peers, acquaintances, and family members.
The institution’s Chief Security Officer, Ken Chukwurah, confirmed the incident, stating that relevant security agencies in the state have been notified. Chukwurah also disclosed that the perpetrators had established contact with Chioma’s family, adding to the urgency of the situation.
He said, “Yes, it is true. DSS has been fully in the picture since yesterday. We are working with them. We got information that one of our students was on her way to attend a funeral ceremony in a village outside Awka when the incident happened, and since then, she has not been found.
“It is important to also note that the incident did not happen in the school and we have to be clear about that. We have contacted the relevant security agencies and we hear the ‘kidnappers’ have contacted the family. Although, we are not aware if they have requested for any ransome or not.”
According to the reports currently trending on social media, the kidnappers initially asked for N10m ransom for Chioma’s release, which was eventually negotiated down to N2m.
It was gathered that the kidnappers also gave a deadline of Tuesday (today) for the payment of the ransom.
As a result, this made the victim’s schoolmates and friends declare an open call for public support and donations to make up the ransom, as the victim’s family found it difficult to raise the N2m.
The post on social media by one Collins C. was captioned, “Francisca Oma Went Missing!” and it reads, “She was abducted on Friday, and till now, we’ve not been able to find her.
“There have been plenty of calls from her end. She was kidnapped alongside two others on her way to a village in Anambra state for a friend’s dad’s funeral.
“It’s been two nights already, and I fear her safety. I thought it was a prank. I’m still struggling to believe it.
“They first demanded a ransom of N10m but Collins C. and God’swill A. were able to beat it down to N2m.
“We were given a deadline, and we need your help. Francisca needs your help. You can offer us advice or suggestions on what next step to take. Pray for Francisca. Pray for her safety. Pray for her release.
Help us raise the ransom. Whatever you can offer, no matter how little.”
When contacted on Tuesday, the Anambra State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Ikenga Tochukwu, said the command was aware of the incident and called on the family and friends of the victim to come forward with information that can help the command to begin investigations.
“Yes, the command is aware of the unconfirmed information out there on the abduction of a UNIZIK student; and we want to use this medium to invite the victim’s family, friends, or witnesses to come forward with information that can help us embark on investigations, please,” Ikenga added.