Nigerian academic and administrator, Prof. Hope Eghagha, has been reunited with his family in Asaba, capital of Delta State in the country’s South-South region, following his release after 16 days with kidnappers. “Prof is back to his family,” Felix Ofou, a spokesman for the Delta State Government, in which Eghagha serves as Commissioner of Higher Education, told News Express.

News Express was first alerted about Eghagha’s release around 9:00 p.m. yesterday. Ofou confirmed that the much loved Eghagha was released last night.

He said in a message to the Publisher of News Express: “Yesterday, I gave assurances that Delta State Government was collaborating with the Police to ensure that Prof Hope Eghagha was released unharmed. That prediction became reality tonight. Patience pays, though we are tempted to be desperate and want to take laws in our hands, especially when life is involved. What’s important is that Prof is back to his family.”

Prof. Eghagha, who taught English at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), South-West Nigeria, before his appointment as a commissioner in his home state, was kidnapped was kidnapped by unknown gunmen on Sunday morning, Sept. 30, along the Agbor/Abraka Road in Delta State after being trailed from neighbouring Warri in a Toyota Camry car by kidnappers. His police orderly was killed and his driver injured after the kidnappers overtook and shot at Eghagha’s car before taking him away.

The kidnappers reportedly demanded upwards of 100 million naira as ransom but it’s not clear if any was paid to secure his release. Prof. Eghagha

Commenting on his release, Prof. Eghagha (shown in photo) said in a Facebook post made past midnight: “Out of the dungeon of kidnappers after sixteen days....Thank God for answered prayers. Thanks to all facebook supporters! More later..”