Chairman of the Abia state chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Felix Olunkwa, who was abducted last month, has been freed after 10 days in captivity.
President and chairman of the governing council of the NIPR, Ike Neliaku, disclosed in a statement on Thursday.
According to the NIPR president, Olunkwa was released on Wednesday night.
Olunkwa was abducted on May 24 while driving home from the Alaoji mechanic village in Aba, where he had gone to repair a car. His wife had reported him missing after he failed to return home.
“I spoke with him and his wife this morning, and they are all in high spirits,” the statement reads.
Neliaku praised members of the Olunkwa family for being steadfast and cooperative.
He conveyed the gratitude of Olunkwa to the NIPR family for their support and prayers during his ordeal.
Neliaku also thanked Mohammed Idris, the minister of information and national orientation, for his wise counsel in managing the situation.
“We also thank members of NIPR Abia State for deploying effective and strategic communication tools in managing the crisis, particularly the IPC Sir Anyaso Anyaso, VC Adeze Irehbu, Fellow Onyinye Ralph-Nwachukwu.”
In January 2024, gunmen abducted the deputy vice-chancellor of Abia State University, Uturu, Professor Godwin Emezue.
Emelue was said to have driven into the station alongside his wife to buy fuel when the gunmen attacked them. He was later released after spending 11 days in captivity.
