ASUU Kicks as Gunmen Kidnap another UNIJOS Lecturer, Demand N10m

Seriki Adinoyi

The University of Jos (UNIJOS) branch of the Academic Staff Union of University (ASUU) has lamented continuous threat to lives and property of citizens and its members across the country, warning that government must take proactive measures safeguard lives and property of citizens.

The warning followed the kidnap of another lecturer with the Department of Theatre Arts of the university, Dr. Dan Ella from his Haske Quarters residence by unknown gunmen.

THISDAY gathered that he was abducted in the early hours of yesterday by the gunmen who attacked his residence located in Lamingo community, Jos North Local Government Area of the state.

Last month, a female professor of Medical Microbiology and her husband were abducted from the same Haske Quarters, and later released after ransom was paid.

A neighbour of the lecturer, Mr. Moses Bature confirmed that the gunmen who invaded the community at about 2am yesterday headed straight to the apartment of the lecturer and took him away after breaking their door while shooting to scare away residents.

“It was the sounds of gunshots that woke us up around 2am. But we could not come out to his
rescue for fear of becoming victims.

“This morning when we came out, we discovered that they had taken Dr. Dan Ella away after breaking into their house. It’s really painful because this thing is happening again in the same place where a professor and her husband were kidnapped in similar circumstances last month, and Dr. Ella, who is their neighbour was the one running around to make sure that they were rescued. Now, he is the one that has been abducted and no one knows where they have taken him to. “

Confirming the abduction of the lecturer, Chairman of the University of Jos branch of ASUU, Dr. Lazarus Maigoro condemned the development.

“Something has to be done about this kidnapping of innocent people because it’s really sad and should not be allowed to continue.”

The state Police Public Relations Officer Mr. Gabriel Ogaba could not be reached for further confirmation.