The International Press Centre (IPC), Lagos-Nigeria has strongly condemned the reported abduction of former Chairman of the Federated Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Bayelsa State and others by unknown gunmen on Monday, March 29, 2022.

Reports on Tuesday said 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.

It was gathered that a Warri-based lawyer, Mr. Lucky Egboyi Esq, who narrowly escaped from the scene, disclosed that the armed men shot the driver in the head and kidnapped several passengers, including the journalists.

He was quoted as saying that “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.”

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.

The IPC said in a statement signed by its Press Freedom/Safety of Journalists Officer, Melody Akinjiyan, that the state of insecurity in the country deserves more attention and multi-channel approach towards resolving it.

IPC said it 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.

Source: StreetReporters.ng

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