ICSPJ tasks IGP on release of abducted female journalist in Rivers
The International Press Centre for Safety and Protection of Journalists (ICSPJ) has tasked IGP Kayode Egbetokun with ensuring the safe return of Priestba Nwokocha, Director of News, Rivers State Broadcasting Corporation, who was abducted by unknown gunmen in Port Harcourt.
Melody Akinjiyan, coordinator, ICSPJ, made the call in a statement on Tuesday in Lagos.
According to Ms Akinjiyan, Ms Nwokocha was abducted along Slaughter/YKC between 7:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. on July 21 on her way from work.
“The Inspiration Coordinator said they got a report from the Rivers State Council (RSC) of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) that the abductee’s car had broken down along Slaughter/YKC road.
“She called her husband, who later came with a mechanic to work on the car.
“It was in the presence of her husband and the mechanic that the kidnappers picked her up. They did not pick on her husband or harm him; they just picked her up and left,” he said.
“Similarly, Stanley Job, the Rivers NUJ State Chairman, confirmed the unfortunate incident to ICSPJ that the unknown kidnappers have reached out.”
He stated that they were demanding a ransom of N150 million for the release of Ms Nwokocha.
“All efforts are in place to ensure her release and the union has contacted Nwonyi Polycarp Emeka, Commissioner of Police, Rivers command on the incident.”
According to him, the spate of insecurity in the country is alarming and is of serious concern to all.
“It is very disturbing that journalists and media practitioners have also become easy targets.
“We are also worried about the trend of gender-related attacks, as evident from the IPC 5-year monitoring report, which indicates a gradual increase in the trend of attacks on female journalists.”
“ICSPJ, therefore, enjoins security agencies, especially the Commissioner of Police in Rivers, to do all they can to ensure that Nwokocha is set free without being harmed in any way.”
He urged all and sundry to remain security conscious in light of the evident security challenges in the country.
(NAN)
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