BREAKING: Kidnapped DELSU Students Regain Freedom

By Daniel Dafe

Two students of Delta State University (DELSU), Abraka, Mr. Divine Omajuwa of Geology Department and Miss Hamza Hussiena Jennifer of Pharmacology Department, who were kidnapped on Sunday have regained freedom.

Oasis Magazine had reported how kidnappers attacked a vehicle on Sunday at Oria-Abraka that had DELSU students in it who were on their way to Abraka.

Sadly, Odje Stephen of the Department of Medical Biochemistry who was also in the vehicle was shot dead during the attack.

Oasis Magazine (OM) gathered that Divine and Jennifer were released at about 1 a.m. on Wednesday.

Speaking with OM exclusively, one of the released students, Divine, said that contrary to reports, they were not returning for the new academic session, adding that they did not go for holidays.

ALSO READ: DELSU: Unknown Gunmen Kill Student, Kidnap Two, As University, SUG React

According to him, they were on their way back from Warri to Abraka when the incidence happened.

He said: “I travelled with Hussiena to Warri while Stephen also travelled to Warri separately. While I was planning to return, Stephen called me and asked that he join me back to Abraka.”

Narrating what happened, he said that he saw a vehicle parked on the road and assumed it was an accident, but was shocked to find out that when he slowed down, it turned out to be that the car was used to block the road by kidnappers.

Divine disclosed that he tried to reverse his Lexus Jeep to escape when the kidnappers started shooting directly at them.

He disclosed that his girlfriend, Hussiena sat in front, while Stephen was at the back seat.

He also debunked reports that Stephen was shot dead on the spot, saying that it was a case of accidental discharge.

“They shot my car tyres while trying to shoot at us. They saw that he was already wounded and so left him behind.

“The kidnappers told me that we were not their target. They said they trailed someone but lost their target because they were distracted by a truck carrying farmers and so became angry and stayed on the road for any possible victim,” he said.

Speaking further, he said that two of the farmers were still held back by the kidnappers when they were released.

“We were taken away to an unknown destination. They made contact with my parents before I was released,” he said.

Asked if ransom was paid, he said he was not aware, but said that the kidnappers dropped them at a public school close to Abraka after a discussion with his parents.

Divine, who mourned the death of his friend, sobbed profusely while answering questions from our reporter and many times called the name of his deceased friend who died during the attack.

Meanwhile, the Student Union Government of DELSU reacting to the release of the kidnapped students, said: “We are grateful to God for their freedom from the hands of this evil perpetrators and the S.U.G also appreciate all Delsuites for their concern and their efforts in this trying time.
A statement signed by Comr. Solomon Mukolo, President, SUG and Comr. Gregory Mudia Ekrakene, Director of Information, SUG, also expressed heartfelt condolences to the family of Mr. Stephen Odje, the entire students of Medical Biochemistry and the entire staff and students of Delta State University.