Nigeria, May 7 -- A Nigerian professor kidnapped by gunmen in the country's south-east has been freed.

The professor, Herbert Batta, a lecturer at the faculty of Communication and Media Studies in the University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, was on his way back from a trip when he was abducted in Imo State on Tuesday.

Mr Batta, a professor of Science and Health Communications, is currently the head of the Information and Media Studies Department in the university.

The details of his release are still sketchy and it could not be ascertained if he was freed by security operatives or or after the payment of ransom.

A colleague of the victim who sent a voice note to another colleague said they had passed the Sam Mbakwe Airport heading toward O...