The kidnapped University of Nigeria, Nsukka, UNN, senior lecturer, Prof Oguejiofo Ujam has regained freedom.

Ujam, kidnapped along the Ugwuogo-Opi Nsukka Road, reportedly escaped from his captors at the Ninth Mile axis of the state.

This is also as the police foiled another kidnap attempt on the same road on Monday, barely 24 hours after the university don was abducted.

The Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Enugu Police Command, DSP Daniel Ndukwe confirmed the developments in a statement made available to journalists on Tuesday.

Ndukwe said, “Operatives of the Enugu State Police Command attached to Unity Division foiled a suspected kidnapping attempt on October 28, 2024, around 7:10 p.m., at the Neke-Uno axis of the Enugu/Opi/Nsukka Road.

“The suspects, after an intense gun duel, fled with gunshot wounds, abandoning one AK-47 rifle, two magazines containing a total of twenty-two (22) rounds, and a chain of thirty-nine (39) live ammunition.

“Further operations to hunt down the fleeing suspects the same night, led to a lecturer at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, reportedly kidnapped on October 26, 2024, escaping from his abductors’ custody.”

While assuring commuters that the road was safe, Ndukwe said, “the Commissioner of Police, Kanayo Uzuegbu, has ordered the deployment of additional personnel and resources to bolster both overt and covert police operations along the Enugu/Opi/Nsukka Road, reassuring the public of security and safety on the road and across the State.”

Meanwhile, the Command has refuted viral reports alleging the kidnapping of a Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) officer travelling from Benue State along the same route.

It clarified that no such incident had been recorded anywhere in Enugu State.