Press Release
IPC CONDEMNS ABDUCTION OF JOURNALIST BY UNKNOWN GUNMEN
For immediate release, Wednesday March 30, 2022
The International Press Centre (IPC), Lagos-Nigeria condemns the abduction of former Chairman of the Federated Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Bayelsa State and others reportedly by unknown gunmen on Monday, March 29, 2022.
DAILY POST on Tuesday reported that: the suspected herdsmen allegedly kidnapped Comrade Julius Osahon and others along the East-West Road, by Ewreni community, in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State while returning from the Press Centre in Bayelsa State.
Daily Post further quoted a Warri-based lawyer, Mr. Lucky Egboyi Esq, who narrowly escaped from the scene, as disclosing that the armed men shot the driver in the head and kidnapped several passengers. “It was a narrow escape for me and a few others because we had to run into the bush. The policemen who came ran away with their van”, he claimed.
At the time of this report, the gunmen have reportedly contacted the wife of the journalist, demanding a five-million-naira (N5, 000,000:00) ransom.
IPC believes the state of insecurity in the country deserves more attention and multi-channel approach towards resolving.
IPC is deeply worried about the fate of Osahon and others and hereby calls on the Nigerian government and security agencies to ensure that they regain freedom without being harmed.
E-SGD:
Melody Akinjiyan
Press Freedom/Safety of Journalists Officer, IPCmelodyakinjiyan@ipcng.org