Nigeria Union Of Journalists Calls For Release Of Kidnapped Columnist

NUJ

       The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Rivers State council, has called for the immediate and unconditional release unhurt of the kidnapped Vanguard columnist, Dornu Kogbara.

Rivers NUJ, Friday in Port Harcourt, through its Chairman, Omoni Ayo-Tamuno, also condemned the abduction of Kogbara, an Ogoni.

The kidnappers, who wore police uniform,

seized the renowned columnist on Sunday morning, when they stormed her Nkpogu-Port Harcourt residence in a CRV car, amid gunshots. The gunmen quickly disappeared with Kogbara, whose whereabouts remained unknown and no demand for ransom had been made by the criminals, as at press time.

The Rivers Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Muhammad Kidaya Ahmad, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), who confirmed the kidnap, noted that the police were on the trail of the gunmen, while assuring that the victim would soon be rescued unhurt.

NUJ in Rivers said: “Why should an innocent journalist/columnist, who is contributing to societal development become the target of kidnappers? Journalists are positively impacting the society and should be spared the trauma of being kidnapped.

“It is really sad that the renowned columnist, who is using her pen to bring about development, will now be in the den of kidnappers for many days, considering the usually-unpleasant experiences.

“Where do the kidnappers want the columnist or her aged mother to get money for ransom? Journalists in Rivers State are insisting that Kogbara must be released now, without attaching any condition and she must not be hurt.”

The Rivers NUJ, with the backing of the national secretariat of the union, also called on the security agencies to quickly ensure the release of the columnist and to apprehend/prosecute the kidnappers, in order to serve as a deterrent to other criminally-minded persons.