Gunmen on Sunday abducted the former Vice Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University and a two-time Attorney General of the old Anambra State, Prof. Ilochi Okafor (SAN).
Okafor was also an aspirant in the 2011 Anambra State governorship election.
The Police Public Relations Officer in Enugu, Mr. Ebere Amaraizu confirmed that the incident occurred at about 8am on Sunday, at the victim’s residence on Pioneer Avenue in Independence Layout, Enugu State.
Amaraizu said Okafor was about leaving for church when he was whisked away by the suspected kidnappers.
He said, “He just opened the gate and was about driving out when he was picked.”
The PPRO said the police have been talking with some members of the Okafor family.
He said, “The police would soon uncover the reasons behind his (Okafor) kidnap and those responsible.
“We are already working on information given to us by members of his family and we would soon make our findings known to the press, but we would not divulge the sensitive ones so as not to sabotage our investigations.”
Meanwhile, a statement from Okafor’s family read, “With regret and great sadness, we wish to announce that Prof. Ilochi A. Okafor (SAN) has been kidnapped this morning at his residence in Enugu”.
The family of the kidnapped university don also solicited for prayers from the public to ensure his safe return “Prof. Okafor was a two-time Attorney General of the old Anambra State as well as a former Vice Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikwe University, Awka. Please join us in praying to Almighty God for his immediate and safe release from his captors. Thank you.”
