Uniabuja Honours 44 Persons For Role In Release Of Abducted Staff

The Management of University of Abuja has honoured 44 members of staff of the Safety Unit of the University for their role in the rescue of staff of the University and their children who were abducted recently.

The officials and their children were abducted from the staff quarters of the main campus in the early hours of Tuesday 2nd November, 2021.

The Vice-Chancellor of the University, Professor Abdul-Rasheed Na’Allah said this in a statement over the weekend.

The VC, who celebrated the staff on Friday 12th November, 2021, said they had done the University proud by working with security forces to prevent the gunmen from abducting more staff as well as ensuring that those abducted were rescued without payment of ransom.

“I am pleased to express the profound appreciation of the University management for your role in the combined effort that resulted in the rescue of our staff and their children abducted by the bandits on Tuesday 2nd November 2021 from the Staff Quarters in Giri”, the VC said.

He said they demonstrated exceptional commitment and bravery in the discharge of their duty which led to the timely rescue of the staff and their children.

“But for your courage the story of the abduction might have been different. It is in recognition of this feat that the management, today decides to honour you all. Indeed you have given the University community the hope of protection,” he said.

He specially recognized the role of the chief safety officer, Barrister Abdullahi Burga, whom he said coordinated the safety team effectively.

Na’Allah explained that even though the incident left a devastating shock on the University community, it also demonstrated the resolve, commitment and love of the world for the University of Abuja.

THE WHISTLER had reported how three staff members and three of their children were abducted from the staff quarters of the university early on Tuesday, 2nd November, 2021.

Later on Wednesday, the abductors demanded N300 million, N50 million per abductee.

The police then confirmed that the abductees had all been rescued on Friday, 5th November.