BY MIKE OSAROGIAGBON
Delta State Police Command has denied allegation of arrest of two undergraduates who had been reportedly kidnapped, but released by their abductors while their colleague was reportedly killed in the operation.
The two undergraduates Mr. Divine Omajuwa of Geology Department and Miss Hamza Hussiena Jennifer of Pharmacology Department, Delta State University, DELSU, Abraka had been reportedly kidnapped while returning to Abraka, from Warri at about 9:30p.m on Sunday, July 11, 2021.
Their colleague, Mr. Odje Stephen of the Department of Medical Biochemistry who was in a private vehicle with them was shot to death during the operation at Oria-Abraka.
Mr. Divine Omajuwa and Miss Hamza Hussiena were released by their abductors on Wednesday, July 14, 2021.
It was gathered that operatives at Abraka police division where the incident was earlier reported arrested the two undergraduates and transferred them to the state police command headquarters in Asaba on Thursday, July 16, 2021.
The students’ arrest came shortly after the university Vice Chancellor, Prof. Andy Egwunyenga announced their release by their kidnappers, in a statement dated Wednesday, July 14, 2021.
Meanwhile, the Delta State Police Command said the students are not in their custody.
The Command Public Relations Officer, DSP Edafe Bright stated this when our reporter sought his response to the incident in Asaba, last Friday.
“They were here after their release by the kidnappers but they were not detained,” DSP Edafe stated.
Barr. Choice Emoese, Counsel to Divine Omajuwa confirmed the arrest and detention of her clients at the anti-kidnapping unit of the state police command, Asaba.
She said that the students were scheduled for medical attention following their ordeal in the kidnappers’ den when they were arrested in Abraka and transferred to Asaba.
Barr. Emoese disclosed that the family of the deceased student, Odje Stephen had alleged a case of murder and not kidnapping, as reported.
She further revealed that investigators have interrogated the students and wondered why the police are denying them bail.
As at press time, the family of the deceased student could not be reached for comments.
