NUJ Cries Out As Gunmen Abduct Rivers Journalist …Police Go After Kidnappers

Gunmen on Friday night abducted a senior journalist and staff of the Rivers State Broadcasting Corporation, Port Harcourt, Mrs Priestba Nwokocha.
Mrs Nwokocha, who is the Director of News in the corporation, popularly called ‘Radio Rivers’, was allegedly whisked away by gunmen suspected to be kidnappers on the Oginigba/Woji Bridge leading to the old Slaughter Market in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area.
Although details of the abduction were still sketchy as of press time, the leadership of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in the state confirmed the incident.
The NUJ, in a statement jointly signed by its chairman, Stanley Job, and secretary, Ike Wigodo, condemned the act and described it as inhuman, wicked and insensitive.
The statement, therefore, urged the security agencies in the State to ensure the unconditional rescue of Mrs Nwokocha to enable her reunite with her family and continue her service to the society.
The Union also charged the security agencies to ensure the arrest of Nwokocha’s abductors and bring them to book to serve as a deterrent to other criminals in the state.
The NUJ commended the police commissioner for improving on the security situation in the state in the last three months, urging him not to relent.
Meanwhile, the police in the state said it had launched a manhunt to ensure Nwokocha was released unhurt and the suspects apprehended.
The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the incident, saying investigation had begun to apprehend the suspects and ensure the rescue of the female journalist.
Iringe-Koko, a Superintendent of Police, stated, “Yes, the incident happened and we (police) have begun investigation to ensure the woman is released and reunited with her family.
“As I speak to you, the Commissioner of Police, Emeka Nwonyi, has ordered the tactical team to ensure the suspects are arrested and brought to justice.”