A community of students at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, has united in a desperate effort to secure the release of their friend and schoolmate, Miss Francisca Chioma, who was abducted while en route to a burial ceremony.
Chioma, a student from the Science Education Department, has been missing since Friday, April 5, sparking widespread concern among her peers, family, and the university community.
According to reports by Punch Newspaper, the institution’s Chief Security Officer, Ken Chukwurah, confirmed the incident, stating that it occurred outside the school’s premises and that the Department of State Services (DSS) has been involved in the case since its inception.
“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,” Chukwurah explained.
Subsequent revelations disclosed that the kidnappers demanded a ransom of N10 million, which was later negotiated down to N2 million. The deadline for the ransom payment was set for Tuesday. As the family struggled to raise the required amount, Chioma’s friends and classmates initiated a public fundraising campaign to gather the necessary funds.
In a plea shared on social media by one of Chioma’s friends, identified only as Collins C, well-meaning Nigerians were urged to make donations to meet the kidnappers’ deadline.
“Francisca Oma Went Missing! She was abducted on Friday, and till now, we’ve not been able to find her. They first demanded a ransom of N10m but we were able to negotiate it down to N2m. We need your help. Francisca needs your help. Pray for Francisca. Pray for her safety. Pray for her release. Help us raise the ransom. Whatever you can offer, no matter how little,” Collins wrote.
The Anambra State Police Command, through its spokesperson, SP Ikenga Tochukwu, confirmed the abduction incident and urged the victim’s family, friends, or witnesses to provide any information that could aid the investigation.
“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,” Tochukwu stated.
