Stand up against criminals, pay no ransom,” an elated Minister of Information and Communications, Prof. Dora Akunyili, told Nigerians yesterday following the release of the journalists who were kidnapped on July 11.

Akunyili told newsmen that payment of ransom had encouraged kidnapping which has now become an industry.

“I just feel so happy that our brothers are safe and no one succumbed to the threat of the kidnappers who are criminals that go about torturing people emotionally,” she said.

Meanwhile, the Rivers State Governor Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi has appealed to security operatives to ensure that anyone rescued or freed by kidnappers is debriefed to understand the sociological profile of those involved.

Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi stated  this yesterday at the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa during a brief reception in honour of the kidnapped journalists that were rescued early in the day.

Governor Amaechi who was represented by his Acting Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Blessing Wikina, said debriefing would enable them know the thought pattern and how they communicate to tackle the problem.

The Governor explained that if they debrief those who had borne victims, the security agencies would gradually be able to compile a profile on how to deal with the situation.

Governor Amaechi thanked God for the safe rescue of the kidnapped journalists who are to be reunited with their families, but expressed sadness that in spite of several appeals to those involved in criminal act of hostage taking, such unwholesome practice was going on.

He commended the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and other security agencies for freeing the journalists unhurt and urged the victims not to allow what happened to deter them from rendering their services to society and humanity.

The State Chief Executive noted that security matters were collective issues which should not be left in the hands of one person or state government and provided the journalists with a charted air craft Topbrass Aviation Ltd with registration number ZS-SME to convey them to Lagos.

Responding on behalf of the rescued kidnappers, the Chairman, Lagos State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Mr. Wahab Oba said they did not really have much to say but to thank God for His mercy on them throughout the one week they were held hostage.

Mr. Oba also expressed gratitude to President Goodluck Jonathan for the concern shown over their kidnap, especially in the speech he made during his visit to Akwa Ibom State as well as the government and people of Abia State whom he said were wonderful to them and the Rivers State Governor Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi whom he described as a press friendly governor for arranging a chartered flight to take them to Lagos.

The Nigeria Police was not left out as he acknowledged the consistency and aggressiveness with which they hunted their kidnappers and hinted that “throughout the seven days we stayed with our captors, we did not stay in a place for four hours because of the way the police was chasing them”.

Mr. Oba was equally happy with journalists for the solidarity they demonstrated through the way they reported the incident which according to him made even the families of the kidnappers to be on them to effect their release because there could be trouble on the land.

“In his reaction, the President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), Mr Gbenga Adefaye recommended that a harsh example be made of deviants to put an end to kidnapping.

“We hope government will put an end to these incidents of kidnap that embarrasses us all and makes Nigeria look like an uncharted jungle.

“We hope the President will take a strong step on security and reassure everyone that Nigeria is a safe place peopled by decent citizens.

“We also hope that journalists will not be afraid to perform their duties, as enshrined in the Constitution,” Adefaye remarked.

The National Secretary of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Leman Shuaibu, said Nigerians should resolve to make the recent episode, the last of kidnap saga in the country.

He told newsmen that it was time the nation got rid of the menace of such despicable and embarrassing act.

“For the first time, the nation stood up against an irresponsible act, but this kidnapping should be the last that would occur in this country,” he declared.

The NUJ president called on government to use all the arsenals at its disposal to flush out criminals that had taken over, especially in Obingwa Local Government Area of the south eastern Nigeria.