After regaining freedom from the den of kidnappers in Owerri, Imo State, Herbert Batta, an Associate Professor at the University of Uyo (UNIUYO) in Akwa Ibom State has attributed his release to God’s divine intervention.
Batta who is the Head of Communication and Media Studies Department, Faculty of Communication Arts, University of Uyo bared his mind on his Facebook page.
The lecturer, according to Straightnews, was kidnapped on Tuesday afternoon along the Ngor-Okpala axis near the Sam Mbakwe Airport while he journeyed home- Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital.
Also read: UNIUYO Professor kidnapped in Imo
The university don was freed after three hours in the den of armed herders without harm or payment of ransom amid intense prayer and pleads with his captors.
He declared that his constant resort to prayers and the prayers of concerned well-wishers were his saving grace during the turbulent three-hour period in the captivity of armed herders.
“Thanks so much for all your fervent prayers and good wishes. What could have turned out as a long, harrowing torture spelling doom for health and finances turned out to be a miraculous, short three-hour abduction by armed herders.
“No physical hurts, no ransom, no bloody rescue. I prayed to God and appealed to the kidnappers, and freedom came. We prayed, and God did it. Thanks to you all, Glory to God. May your candle burn bright and let your life taste and smell sweet. God bless you all,” the elated Professor said.
The spokesperson for the Imo State Police Command, Henry Okoye, confirmed the kidnapping incident on Wednesday but said he could not immediately confirm if Professor Batta was among the victims. “We have initiated action and are doing everything possible to rescue the victims,” he said.
Earlier, a colleague of the abducted don, Professor Charles Obot, had broken the news of his freedom Wednesday morning that Prof. Batta had been rescued from the dungeon of the kidnappers and was kept at an Owerri Police station.
“My colleague and brother, Professor Herbert Batta who was kidnapped yesterday (Tuesday) in Owerri on his way back from a trip, has just spoken with me from a Police Station in Owerri after being released or rescued.“
