Instead of the police in Delta State arresting those behind the kidnapping of one Mr. Divine Omajuwa, of the department of Geology and Miss Hamza Hussiena Jennifer of Pharmacology Department, Delta State University (DELSU), Abraka, the reverse is the case.
The two undergraduates, were reportedly kidnapped while returning to Abraka, from Warri about 9:30pm on Sunday, July 11, 2021, but operatives of the State Police Command arrested them shortly after they were released by their kidnappers.
Their colleague Mr. Odje Stephen of the Department of Medical Biochemistry who was in a private vehicle with them was shot dead 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 in a statement dated Wednesday, July 14, 2021.
“They were here after they were released by the kidnappers but they were not detained”. DSP Edafe stated.
Barr. Choice Emoese, Counsel to the 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.
The family of the deceased student could not be reached for comments.
Contacted, the Ag. Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Edafe Bright, in a WhatsApp chat, said: “That story is absolutely false pls”.
