Gunmen abduct Channels TV reporter in Rivers, demand N30m

Yet to be identified gunmen, on Thursday night abducted a Channels Television reporter, Joshua Rogers at his residence in Rumuosi in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State. 

Rogers, who covers the Rivers State Government House for his organisation, was reportedly trailed to his residence after he closed from work. 

The suspected criminals were said to have accosted him before he alighted from his car, pointed a gun at him and whisked him away, along with his vehicle, to an unknown destination at 9pm.

A source said the reporter had earlier covered an event in Ndoni in Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area of the State, where Governor Siminalayi Fubara commissioned a primary health care centre.

The facility was built and donated to the state by the PAMO Educational Foundation, founded by a former Rivers State governor, Dr Peter Odili, on Thursday. 

The source said, “He was kidnapped last night at his residence in Rumuosi and taken away in his car by some unknown gunmen.

“We are appealing to the kidnappers to release him immediately and unhurt. He is just a journalist doing his job and not a moneybag. I don’t know the purpose for his kidnap.” 

It was also gathered that the hoodlums have contacted his wife and demanded N30 million as ransom.

The spokesperson of the police command in Rivers State, SP Grace Iringe-Koko confirmed the incident, saying he police were collaborating with other security agencies to secure his release.

Meanwhile, the International Press Centre (IPC’s) Centre for the Safety and Protection of Journalists (I-CSPJ), has urged the Rivers State Government and security agents in the state to ensure the immediate release of the reporter. 

The Press Freedom Officer in IPC, Melody Akinjiyan, in a statement on Friday, quoted the Executive Director of IPC, Mr Lanre Arogundade, as saying that the spate of insecurity in the country should be of serious concern to all, adding that it was very disturbing that journalists and media practitioners have also become easy targets.

He enjoined the Rivers State Government and relevant security agencies to do all they can to ensure that Rogers is set free without harm.