Gunmen have reportedly invaded the staff quarters of the University of Abuja (UNIABUJA) on Tuesday, abducting professor of economics, Obansa Joseph, two of his children, and other people.
According to a resident of the area, the gunmen invaded the senior staff quarters at Giri in Gwagwalada Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) at about 1 a.m and operation lasted for about an hour.
The university’s spokesman, Habib Yakoob who spoke to Premium Times via telephone confirmed the news adding that about six persons were abducted.. “Yes, I just confirmed that the information is true. Apart from the professor and his children, a non-academic staffer was also involved. They are about six victims,” Mr Yakoob said.
He, however, added that security operatives have been mobilized to secure their freedom.
“They are on their trail,” the spokesman said by telephone.
The victim, Mr Obansa, is described as a “distinguished economist of repute”.
Apart from teaching at UNIABUJA, he is also a visiting professor of economics at Veritas University, also in Abuja.
Mr Obansa is an alumnus of the University of Abuja and the University of Lagos. His research interests include health economics and quantitative economic analysis.
He has published extensively in reputable national and international journals and has served in several management and administrative capacities at the University of Abuja.
As of the time of filing this report, the FCT Police spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, had yet to respond to enquiries concerning the attack.
