Professor James Nwoye Adichie, who was kidnapped on the way to his hometown at about 10am on Saturday, May 2 has finally been released by his abductors. Professor Adichie was travelling from the university town of Nsukka to his hometown Abba, in Anambra state when the kidnappers struck and took him and his driver near Nsukka. An initial demand of 50million Naira for his release was later reduced to a smaller sum by the kidnappers, who were subsequently prevailed upon to release the respected elder. Professor Adichie was released at about 8pm last night.
He is the first professor of statistics in Nigeria and was Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) before he retired. His wife, Lady Grace Ifeoma Adichie, was the first female Registrar of UNN.