The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Rivers State chapter has called for the immediate and unconditional release of its member Chidiebere Onyia a reporter with the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Port Harcourt zonal office.
Mrs Onyia, a nursing mother, was abducted on Tuesday night along the railway line, Woji in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State on her way home after work.
NUJ state chairman Stanley J. Stanley, and secretary Ike Wigodo in a jointly signed statement on Wednesday lamented the trend of attacks on journalists.
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“It is worrisome and regrettable that journalists are now victims of abduction and held for whatever reason. A fundamental prerequisite for free media is that journalists should be allowed to move freely in their efforts to serve the public through the gathering and dissemination of information,” the statement read.
“But what we are witnessing in the country today gives us serious concern. Less than two weeks ago, a reporter with The Punch, Okechukwu Nnodim, was abducted in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) by some criminal elements, only to be released a few days ago. Also recently, the Business Manager of Silverbird, Segun Owolabi, escaped an assassination attempt in Port Harcourt after the closing of work. And now, another journalist, Onyia, was kidnapped in Port Harcourt on Tuesday. This is unacceptable.
“While condemning this heinous act in strong terms, we urge the security agencies to secure the unconditional release of Onyia to enable her to continue her professional services to the country.”
The union also charged security forces to ensure the arrest of the abductors and bring them to book.
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