A former Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics) of the University of Ibadan, Professor Adigun Agbaje, who was kidnapped on the Lagos/Ibadan Expressway has been released.
Oyo State Police Command also confirmed the release.
Although, it could not be confirmed if any ransom was paid to secure his release, the former DVC was said to have been released unhurt but currently undergoing medical checkup at an undisclosed disclosed hospital.
Corroborating the development, the Head of Department, Political Science, University of Ibadan, Professor Remi Aiyede said Professor Agbaje was released yesterday after spending the weekend in the den of the kidnappers.
He said, “Prof Agbaje has just been released a few hours ago. He is okay and undergoing medical checkup”
Agbaje, who is on sabbatical at Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, was kidnapped on his way to Ibadan at about 6pm on Friday, when the kidnappers blocked his way very close to the Sat Guru Maharaji Garden.
It could not be confirmed if he was targeted for the kidnap.
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Effort to reach the released don proved abortive.
However, he also in a circulating social media message confirmed he had regained his freedom, thanking several people for the various roles at making the release possible.
Although, not clearly stated, the message was suggestive of paid ransom before his release was secured.
According to the message, he said he escaped been killed by the bullets of the kidnappers which made a hole in his cap during the abduction process.
He said five other people are still left with the kidnappers comprising two young ladies, two young men and a middle aged person.
The social media message reads in part: “It’s a new day today and I’m happy to be alive. I was released by my kidnappers yesterday evening after spending two nights in the thick forests of Ogun and Oyo states.
“My mind goes to the five others who are still left with the kidnappers: two young ladies, two young men and a middle aged person.
“I was shot at in the head during the abduction process. I thank God that the bullet that went through my car’s windscreen left only a skin deep wound on my head even though it left a gaping hole in the cap I was wearing. I did not even know about this till Saturday morning when I saw caked blood on my cap.”