The three kidnapped students of the University of Calabar (UNICAL) have been released.

FIJ learned that the students, namely Damilola Dickson, Ugwu Chukwuemeka and Ojang Precious Ebejin, regained freedom on Friday morning, two weeks after they were abducted.

Irene Ugbo, the Cross River State police spokesperson, confirmed this to FIJ on Friday afternoon. Although she did not disclose whether ransom was paid, she said they were released with the help of security operatives.

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“With the help of the police tracking system and the Department of State Security (DSS), they were released this morning. I think that operation was done last night and they were released this morning,” the police spokesperson told FIJ.

“You know, because of the operational strategy surrounding the whole operation, there are certain pieces of information we cannot give out, but the main thing is that they are alive and have been released. They are currently receiving treatment.”

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FIJ had earlier reported how gun-wielding kidnappers took the three students from their hostel and went off with them via a river close to the school.

A source had told FIJ that the gunmen demanded N14 million to release two of the students, N6 million to release Damilola and N8 million for Ugwu.

Abimbola Abatta is a reporter with FIJ, writing reports in partnership with Report for the World, which matches local newsrooms with talented emerging journalists to report on under-covered issues around the globe.