Professor Monday Lewis Igbafen, the Zonal Coordinator of the Benin Zone of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and a lecturer at Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, has escaped from his abductors less than 24 hours after being kidnapped. The professor was abducted by gunmen on Saturday night, September 28, 2024, while driving into his residence in Ekpoma, Edo State.
According to reports, Igbafen was blindfolded and taken to a forest in Esan South East Local Government Area. However, in a dramatic turn of events, he managed to escape from his captors on Sunday night, evading further harm.
A colleague, speaking anonymously, recounted the harrowing details of the abduction: “Prof Igbafen was kidnapped at gunpoint around 10:00 pm on Saturday. He was driving his ash-colored Toyota Highlander with registration number ABJ 180 JQ when gunmen accosted him and drove him to an unknown destination.”
The Edo State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, Moses Yamu, confirmed the professor’s escape, attributing it to intense pressure mounted by operatives from the Ekpoma Police Division. Yamu stated, “The police are continuing their efforts to track down the kidnappers and ensure they face justice.”
The quick escape of Prof. Igbafen has brought relief to the academic community, but the police are continuing their manhunt to bring the kidnappers to justice.
