NUJ, Activist Demand Release Of Abducted Abia Journalist

The Abia State chapter
of the Nigeria Union of Journalists NUJ, and  a human rights activist and constitutional lawyer, Chief Anthony Agbazuere, have called for the immediate release of the  kidnapped Umuahia correspondent of The Nation Newspapers, Mr. Ugochukwu Eke.
Eke whose wife put to bed recently, was abducted around 7:30 pm on Sunday at his family house located at  Ogbor Hill Aba.
The journalist  who went to visit his family over the weekend, was said to be driving into his compound when suddenly the hoodlums pounced on him and dragged him out of his car into a waiting vehicle to an unknown destination.
A family source said contact had been established with his abductors who are demanding a ransom of N20 million.
Agbazuere appealed to his abductors to immediately free him as he does not deserve such treatment considering his contributions to the development of the society as a journalist .
The human rights activist also called on criminal elements in the state to turn a new leaf and join hands with government to develop Abia State instead of indulging in activities that would portray the state in bad light.
NUJ Chairman who led members of the executive of the union and other journalists to the family of Eke, appealed to his captors to “ please release him unhurt”.
He wondered why an ordinary  journalist who is merely struggling to survive would become the target of kidnappers .
NUJ also appealed to security agencies as well as the state government to step up efforts towards rescuing the abducted journalist .