Gunmen have abducted Professor Oguejiofor Ujam, Dean of the School of General Studies at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, along the Opi-Nsukka-Ugwogo-Nike Road in Enugu State.

The kidnapping took place Sunday evening while the professor and an unidentified companion were traveling back to Nsukka from Enugu. According to a source close to the victim’s family, the kidnappers have made contact demanding a ransom for their release.

University spokesperson Okwun Omeaku urged restraint in media coverage of the incident to avoid jeopardizing efforts to secure the professor’s release.

Police in Enugu have yet to issue an official response, but ongoing security challenges along the Opi-Nsukka-Ugwogo-Nike Road have resulted in a recent increase in kidnappings. Just hours prior, an official of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Emeason Chima, was also abducted on the same route.

Insecurity in Enugu has heightened, with civilians, civil servants, and students targeted. Although no group has claimed responsibility for these recent kidnappings, authorities have previously implicated the separatist group IPOB in various attacks in the region.