Gunmen kidnap NTA reporter in Port Harcourt

Chidiebere Onyia, a reporter with the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), has been kidnapped by gunmen in Port Harcourt.

The state police command confirmed the incident on Wednesday.

According to NAN, Onyia was abducted on Tuesday at about 6:30pm around Woji area of Port Harcourt when she was returning home from work.

She was said to have been with some of her colleagues in her car, when the gunmen suddenly attacked the vehicle, forced her out and drove her away in their car.

Some eyewitnesses reportedly said the gunmen fired some shots into the air, causing bystanders and motorists to run for cover.

One of Onyia’s colleagues who got down from the vehicle before the incident occurred, was said to have expressed shock on hearing the news and begged for Onyia’s release.

Nnamdi Omoni, the command’s spokesman, said officers have been deployed to rescue Onyia, adding that Joseph Mukan, Rivers commissioner of police, had ordered the tactical unit to ensure the victim’s safe return.

Following news of the incident, the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) condemned the abduction of one of its members.

A statement issued on Wednesday, which was jointly signed by Stanley Job, Rivers NUJ chairman and Ike Wigodo, the union’s secretary, described the abduction of Onyia as “inhuman and heinous”.

The union frowned at the frequent attacks on journalists in recent times, adding that the development was unacceptable.

“It is worrisome and regrettable that journalists are now victims of abduction and held for whatever reason,” the statement reads.

“A fundamental prerequisite for a free media is that journalists should be allowed to move freely in their efforts to serve the public. But what we are witnessing in the country today gives us serious concern, as less than two weeks ago, a reporter with The Punch, Okechukwu Nnodim, was abducted in Abuja, only to be released a few days ago.

“Also, recently, the Business Manager of Silverbird, Segun Owolabi, escaped assassination attempt in Port Harcourt after close of work.

“And now, another journalist, Onyia, was kidnapped in Port Harcourt on Tuesday. This is unacceptable.”

The union charged the Rivers state government and security agencies to ensure that the culprits are arrested.