Kidnappers of a senior lecturer at the Delta State Polytechnic, Ozoro, Mr. Chike Gbemudu have demanded a N20 million ransom to effect his release.

A competent source in the polytechnic who does not want his name in print made the disclosure to journalists on Friday.

It would be recalled that the lecturer who is attached to the Directorate of General Studies in the polytechnic was kidnapped last week at his residence at NDC Road, Ozoro, Isoko North headquarters.

The source explained that contact had been made with Gbemudu’s abductors, and lamented that the sum they were demanding was beyond the reach of the lecturer,

While appealing to the kidnappers to release the lecturer unhurt and unconditionally, the source noted that lecturers are not rich people but teachers who are making their own contributions to the growth of the country.

Meanwhile, the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnic, (ASUP), Delta State Polytechnic, Ozoro Chapter, has condemned the kidnap of Gbemudu.

The union, in a communiqué signed by its Chairman, Comrade Thomas Ojuye and Secretary, Comrade Jerome Egba, and issued during a fasting and praying session for the lecturer’s release, mandated members of executives to liaise with security agencies to ensure that thy expedite action towards the release of the lecturer.

Speaking with newsmen moments after, Ojuye lamented what he described as the porous and volatile security situation of the Ozoro community.

“You cannot tell what will happen in the next minute. Our prayer is that government should strengthen the existing security apparatus in the area. More logistics and men need to be provided to the divisional police and more also should be done on the community because a situation where the staff and students of the polytechnic not going to their beds with their eyes closed is a very pathetic one,” he said.

Ojuye expressed satisfaction with the response of the institution’s management “in giving all the necessary assistance to security agencies all geared towards the freedom of our colleague, Mr. Chike Gbemudu.”

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