Gunmen kidnap journalist in Rivers

Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have abducted a female journalist, Mrs. Priestba Anthony Nwokocha, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

Priestba, a director of news at the Rivers State Broadcasting Corporation (RSBC), was abducted along the Slaughter/YKC road, Port Harcourt around 8:pm on Friday, July 21, 2023, on her way back from work.

According to reports, her car broke down on the road so she called her husband, who later arrived with a mechanic to work on the vehicle. 

The kidnappers arrived and whisked her away right in front of her husband and the mechanic. 

Confirming the incident in a statement on Saturday, the spokesperson of the State Police Command,  DSP Grace Irengi-Koko, said the Commissioner, CP Nwonyi Emeka Polycarp, has ordered an investigation into the abduction of the journalist. 

“The CP has mandated tactical teams to ensure she regains her freedom and is reunited with her family members” the statement read.

Meanwhile, the executives of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Rivers State Council, have condemned the abduction of their colleague and called on security agencies to ensure her immediate rescue.

A statement jointly signed by Stanley Job Stanley, Chairman, NUJ Rivers State Council, and Ike Wigodo, the Secretary, described the act as inhuman, wicked, and insensitive, especially against a journalist working for the good of society.

The statement, therefore, urged the security agencies in the State to ensure the unconditional rescue of Mrs. Nwokocha to enable her to reunite with her family and continue her service to society.

The Union also charged the security agencies to ensure the arrest of Nwokocha’s abductors and bring them to book to serve as a deterrent to other criminals in the state.

The statement commended the Commissioner of Police, CP Nwonyi, for improving security in the State in the last three months and urged him not to relent in his efforts.