The President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ),  Chris Isiguzo, has appealed to kidnappers raging around the country to spare journalists in their despicable trade.

Mr Iziguzo was reacting to the report of the kidnap of Child Onuha, a journalist, in Abia.

“I also want to appeal to the kidnappers to please release Onuha. Journalists should not be your target. Remove your searchlight on us. We are not your customers,” the NUJ president appealed.

Mr Isiguzo noted that Mr Onuha’s abductors are demanding a N10 million ransom.

“I just got information from Abia that one of our colleagues, Mr Chucks Onuha, formerly with The Sun Newspaper, has been kidnapped and the kidnappers are demanding N10 million ransom.

“I am sure that this is a journalist who does not have up to a hundred thousand naira in his bank account,” he said, noting that journalists are serving humanity, adding that they are not bourgeois and do not carry money around.

“I want to use this opportunity to call on the Inspector General of Police, the Director-General, Department of State Service and the Commissioner of Police and Director of State Security in Abia to ensure the safe release of Onuha without delay,” the NUJ president demanded.

He said further, “We are not going to continue to tolerate this, where our colleagues on slight comments, are picked like chickens.”

Mr Isiguzo made the appeal at an event to celebrate World Elder Abuse Awareness Day 2022 on Wednesday in Abuja.

The event was organised by the National Senior Citizens Centre, headed by Dr Emem Omokaro.

He commended Ms Omokaro for her efforts in addressing issues of older persons in the country and promised to support the centre in its endeavours to continue to enhance the livelihood of older persons. 

(NAN)