Gunmen have abducted the Director of Servicom at the University of Calabar (UNICAL), Prof. Patrick Egaga.
Egaga of the Department of Special Education was reportedly taken away from the University Staff Quarters, on Sunday night, through the river that overlooked the staff quarters.
Confirming the incident, in an interview, in Calabar, yesterday, the police in Cross River said action had been initiated to secure the don’s release.
Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Irene Ugbo, said though the family did not report the incident, the command was working to secure Egaga’s release.
UNICAL spokesperson, Effiong Eyo, also said the university learnt of the abduction yesterday.
It was gathered that the gunmen also entered the quarters through the same river that connects Calabar to Akpabuyo Local Council of the state.
Meanwhile, UNICAL management has denied the death of any student in last Saturday’s stampede during the botched General Studies (GSS) examination, contrary to reports that some students lost their lives during the incident.
The Registrar, Gabriel Egbe, in a release, yesterday, said though some injuries were sustained, no life was lost.
He stated: “The avoidable stampede resulted in some injuries. However, the affected students were given immediate treatment at the University Medical Centre and the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH).
“While management is still investigating the incident, it is, however, happy to report from its visits to the 21 injured students (14 in UCTH and seven in Medical Centre) in both health facilities, that no life was lost and that virtually all of them have been discharged.”
While regretting the ugly incident, the institution assured parents of the safety of their children in the university and reassured the students of its relentless drive to ensure academic excellence.
The management also formally announced postponement of the GSS examination till December 10 and 11, 2023 for those who could not write theirs.
But controversies have continued to trail Saturday’s statement by the Director of General Studies, Prof. Takim Ojua, after the stampede.
Some students, who do not want their names in print, argued that both the planning and administration was riddled with levity by the handlers of the examination, which was unjust and discriminatory, to make students vulnerable to extortion.
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