The family of kidnapped Vice Chancellor of the Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT), Prof. Cyprian Onyeji, has commenced negotiation with his abductors.
Recall that Prof. Cyprian Onyeji was abducted on Wednesday at the gates of the institution at Agbani and on Thursday the kidnappers demanded a N200 million ransome in exchange for the release of Prof. Onyeji.
Meanwhile authorities of ESUT, where he was at the helm of affairs have called on students, workers of the university and well meaning Nigerians to continue to pray for the safe release of Prof. Onyeji.
Speaking to journalist at a media briefing Deputy Vice Chancellor, Prof. Aloysius Uzoagulu accompained by the institution’s Registrar, Chris Igbokwe and the university’s librarian, George Igwebuike said the university will not get involved in the negotiation process but will maintain regular contact with the family for update and state of affairs.
Prof. Uzoagulu: “We cannot be involved in the negotiation. Even when some government officials were kidnapped in this state, the government was not involved in the negotiation.”
“The wife, children, brothers and other relations of the vice-chancellor are there to see to his release by the abductors. We only go there to be briefed on the latest development,” he said.
He further described the abduction as shocking and an embarrassment to the staff and students of the university.
He explained that workers in the university are holding prayer sessions for the release of the vice chancellor and denied reports that the workers embarked on a strike.