by Zenith Oduah
Professor James Nwoye Adichie, who was kidnapped on Saturday May 2, 2015, has been freed by his abductors. Prof. Adichie is the father of award-winning author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.
Chimamanda Adichie is a Nigerian novelist and short story writer. She has been called “the most prominent” of a “procession of critically acclaimed young anglophone authors is succeeding in attracting a new generation of readers to African literature”.
Olisa TV reports that Professor Adichie was travelling from the university town of Nsukka to his hometown Abba, in Anambra state when the kidnappers abducted him and his driver at about 10 am. The abduction occurred 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. The family is not yet commenting on the incident..
Aljazeera Journalist, Fidelis Mbah who tweeted about the kidnap wrote, “Kidnappers of #Chimamanda #Adichie’s father are reportedly demanding $250,000 for his release. #Nigeria”
He added, “The father of #Chimamanda #Adichie was reportedly kidnapped last Saturday in #Enugu, southeast #Nigeria.”
He said, Prof James Nwoye #Adichie (83), Chimamanda Adichie’s father, is the first professor of statistics in #Nigeria.
Prof Adichie’s wife, Ifeoma, is the first female registrar of the University of #Nigeria, #Nsukka, #Enugu state.
The kidnapped Prof #Adichie supervised the first post-graduate student to obtain a master’s degree of the University of #Nigeria in 1971.
