April 12, (THEWILL)- The International Press Centre for the Safety and Protection of Journalists (I-CSPJ) has called for the immediate rescue of Joshua Rogers, a Channels TV reporter kidnapped from his home on Thursday.
Rogers’ abduction occurred nearly two weeks after the release of Segun Olatunji, FirstNews Editor, who was taken from his home by armed men and detained in an underground military cell for two weeks.
Spokesperson of the Rivers State Police Command, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, who confirmed Rogers’ abduction, said the Reporter was abducted late Thursday night at his residence in Rumuosi, in Obio/Akpor area of the State.
Iringe-Koko, who said the police, in collaboration with other security agencies, are working to secure his early release, however, added that the abductors are yet to make contact.
“The Rivers Police Command is aware of Rogers’ abduction, and efforts are already underway to secure his release. Although his abductors are yet to make contact, we are working with other security agencies to get him freed,” Iringe-Koko assured.
A statement by the I-CSPJ, read: “IPC’s Centre for the Safety and Protection of Journalists (I-CSPJ), Lagos-Nigeria, is calling for a concerted effort towards the immediate release of Channels TV reporter, Joshua Rogers, who was whisked away to an unknown place by gunmen around 9 p.m on Thursday, April 11, 2024, close to his residence at Rumuosi in Port-Harcourt.
“Information reaching I-CSPJ reveals that ‘Joshua Rogers was driving his official Channels Television-branded car when the hoodlums accosted, pointed a gun at him and took him away in the same vehicle’.
“Rogers was said to be returning from his official assignment in Government House after a trip to Andoni for a government event when the incident happened.
“Already, the gunmen were said to have contacted his wife and demanded a N30 million ransom for his release, the report revealed.
“IPC Executive Director, Lanre Arogundade, said: ‘The spate of insecurity in the country should be of serious concern to all, adding that it is very disturbing that journalists and media practitioners have also become easy targets’.
“I-CSPJ enjoins the Rivers State Government and relevant security agencies to do all they can to ensure that Joshua Rogers is set free without being harmed in any way.”
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