Abducted Babcock Graduate Reunites With Family After Release

Justina Anochie, a graduate of Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State, who was abducted by gunmen last Sunday, has been released.

Punch reports that the 27-year-old was abducted from her off-campus residence at Ilishan  around 9pm. Anochie, who completed her nursing course in May, graduated from Babcock University in June 2016, and was kidnapped with the assistance of two of her friends, who wanted to make money from her family.

According to sources, the Ogun State Police Command arrested the suspects in connection with the kidnap. The state’s Police Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, who confirmed the arrest, told Punch that no ransom was paid for Anochie’s release.

He said strategies to rescue her were put in motion as soon as the kidnap was reported at the Ikenne division of the command.

While acknowledging that the second arrest was made with the assistance of the first arrested suspect, Adejobi stated, “Presently, the command, through its Anti-Kidnapping Squad of the Department of Criminal Investigation and Intelligence, Eleweran, Abeokuta, has arrested two suspects who are ‘close friends’ of Anochie.”

He added that the abductors were forced to release the victim unhurt because of the forensic investigation and Information Communication Technology skills the police had adopted  in the rescue operation.

A family source, however, insisted that some money was paid to the kidnappers, adding that the kidnappers agreed to take N5 million after initially demanding N10 million for the young graduate’s ransom.

She further said that attempts made by the family to reduce the money to N300,000 proved futile and the victim was finally released on Friday at the Odogbolu area of the state after collecting some money.

“She was released on Friday and the family paid money to the kidnappers. But I will not disclose the amount for security reasons. She is safe now. Four gunmen carried out the kidnap,” the source said.

The State Commissioner of Police, Abdulmajid Ali, has ordered that all the kidnappers should be prosecuted, as he commended the relations of the victim for their patience and understanding during the rescue operation.  He has also ordered a thorough investigation into the case.