Kidnappers Lay Siege To Delta Varsity; Over 20 Lecturers Kidnapped

Chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, Delta State, Dr. Emmanuel Mordi told Vanguard that lecturers were particularly disturbed, as educators are not millionaires, but the gunmen keep attacking them.

In the last two years, he said over 20 members had been abducted, but what has troubled the academic community more in recent times, was the kidnap of a lecturer of Department of Science Education, Dr. (Mrs.) Mercy Mokobia, from her nuptial home in Obiaruku, since April 9 without trace by the Police.

Indeed, during his visit to the university, some months ago, the vice-chancellor, Professor Eric Arubayi, told Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr. Ikechukwu Aduba, that the university was under siege.

Mordi said in most of the previous kidnap cases, it was demand for ransom by abductors, after which the victims regained freedom.

However, in Dr. Mokobia’s case, they demanded, it was paid, yet, she was not released.

He said: “Lecturers have their hearts in their mouths because we do not know who will be kidnapped next and nobody is comfortable doing his work here.

“As a matter of fact, the academic staff of DELSU are demanding the release of their colleague; we are going to embark on a fresh strike after the current nationwide strike action to protest the failure of the police to secure her release.

MY SCHOOL