Gridlock As Comedians Protest Over Akas Baba’s Kidnap

It was gridlock in the ever busy Port Harcourt/Aba Road, yesterday as thousands of comedians and radio presenters marched through the streets in protest over the continuous hostage of Mr Anthony Akatakpo alias Akas Baba, a presenter on Wazobia FM in Port Harcourt.
Akas Baba was kidnapped from his house by gunmen last Thursday and his whereabouts remain unknown.
Motorists were forced to divert to other roads while commuters were stranded.
Carrying placards with various inscriptions such as, “wetin concern radio presenter/comedian”, “free Akaa Baba and others”, the leader of the protesters, Mr Duncan Mighty regretted that even comedians are not spared by kidnappers, describing the situation as dangerous.
Duncan Mighty said that comedians and entertainers were ordinarily members of the society with nothing to show, stressing that most of them were from the streets.
“The protest is to let the people know that comedians are from the streets, it should be the pride of everyone to protect entertainers.
“This is part of terrorism, it has not happened before in Port Harcourt,” he lamented.
He said that Akas Baba must be freed immediately by whoever is holding him, vowing that the protest will continue until Akas Baba is freed.
Also speaking, a protester who gave his name as Sweet City said Akas Baba must be freed immediately as comedians are not rich people that can be kidnapped for ransom.
He urged the state government to intervene immediately to get the radio presenter released, and urged the police command to intensify efforts to locate him.

Senator Magnus Abe (middle), his wife, Bariyaah (right) and Bishop Solomon Gberegbara shortly after the recognition of Sen Abe with the award of Nehemiah of the Anglican Diocese of Ogoni in Bori