By Festus Ahon

ASABA—THE Academic Staff Union of Union, ASUU, Delta State University, Abraka branch, has condemned the suspected kidnap of one its members, Dr. Nyerhovwo Tonukari, an Associate Professor in the Department of Microbiology by suspected gunmen.

The union, in a statement by its Chairman and Secretary, Professor Abel Diakparomre and Dr. Emmanuel Ufuophu-Biri respectively, said: “Once again, the relative peace in Delta State University, Abraka, has been thrown into jeopardy following the kidnap of one of our lecturers, Dr. Nyerhovwo Tonukari, an internationally renowned erudite scholar   and scientist.

“Dr. Tonukari, an associate Professor of Microbiology at the Delta State University, Abraka went missing on his way from Sapale to Abraka on October 13, His car was found abandoned in the neighbourhood of Eku, in Ethiope East Local Government area of the state. It is suspected that he is kidnapped by some yet to be identified persons.

“Since the kidnap, no group has claimed responsibility neither has any group or individual made contact with the family or anybody. Also, no demand for ransom has been made. Tonukari has thus remained incommunicado with his where about unknown.

“The Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, Delta State University, DELSU, branch, is highly vexed and worried by this unholy and pathetically ugly incident of kidnapping of university academics which has until some years ago remained alien and utopian to the Nigerian society in general and DELSU in particular.

“Those who adopted him and the general society should understand that the University anywhere in the world remains the sacrosanct intellectual refinery in which the crudity of humanity is refined into fine products for individual and national development.”