A Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed May 13 for the arraignment of four suspects linked to the abduction of University of Abuja (UNIABUJA) lecturers and their children in 2021.
News About Nigeria reported that the abduction occurred on November 2, 2021, when gunmen stormed the Senior Staff Quarters of the University of Abuja in the Gwagwalada Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, and abducted six lecturers.
The kidnapped victims were identified as Bassey Ubom, including his son and daughter, Prof. Joseph Adavani, Dr. Ferguson Tobins, Mohammed Sambo, Offiong Ubom, John Obansa, and Fidelis Obansa.
The gunmen, numbering over 20, reportedly shot their way into the compound before kidnapping the victims.
The arraignment of the suspects, initially scheduled for Monday, was postponed due to the court’s vacation.
The matter, presided over by Justice Donatus Okorowo, has been adjourned until May 13.
The defendants in the case are Adamu Abubakar, Nura Muhammed Ahmadu, Ismailia Abubakar, and Abdulrahman Ado, also known as Yellow.
The Federal Government, represented by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation, has leveled two charges of terrorism against the defendants.
According to the charges, the defendants conspired to abduct the victims from their homes at the University of Abuja Staff Quarters and hold them captive in the forest for three days.
The kidnappers demanded a ransom of N300 million for their release, violating Section 17 of the Terrorism (Prevention) (Amendment) Act 2013.
The defendants are accused of taking hostages in contravention of Section 15 of the Terrorism (Prevention) (Amendment) Act 2013.
They include Adamu Abubakar, Nura Muhammed Ahmadu, Ismailia Abubakar, Abdulrahman Ado (also known as Yellow), and others still at large.
