Ransom Paid, Yet No Trace: Family Raises Alarm Over Missing UNIUYO Student -

Six months after the abduction of a student of the University of Uyo, the family of the victim has expressed deep concern over his continued disappearance despite fulfilling ransom demands.

Utibe Asian, a 300-level Theatre Arts student, was reportedly kidnapped on December 3, 2025, after receiving a phone call from an unknown number and leaving his residence in Uyo to meet the caller.

According to his father, Pastor Aniefiok Asian, the suspected abductors initially demanded ₦30 million but later reduced the amount to ₦500,000. The family paid the sum on December 13, 2025, in hopes of securing his release.

The payment was reportedly made through a Moniepoint account provided by the kidnappers. However, after the transaction, the abductors allegedly instructed the family to proceed to Abak to retrieve the victim a directive that yielded no result, as the student was never released.

Since then, communication from the abductors has ceased, and the family says they have neither seen nor heard from Utibe, heightening fears about his safety.

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Pastor Asian revealed that the case was reported to the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the Akwa Ibom State Police Command shortly after the incident.

Petitions were also submitted to relevant security agencies, including the Department of State Services and the state’s Commissioner for Internal Security.

Despite providing what he described as “useful leads,” the family claims no significant progress has been made in locating the victim or apprehending those responsible.

The distraught father is now calling on the Inspector-General of Police to intervene directly by deploying a special team to investigate the case and ensure his son’s safe return.

Meanwhile, the Akwa Ibom State Commissioner of Police stated that the matter had not been formally reported through the command’s official channels and urged the family to do so for prompt action.

The case adds to growing concerns over kidnapping incidents in the region, with families often left in distress even after complying with ransom demands.