A reporter with Channels Television, Joshua Rogers who covers the Rivers State Government House, has been kidnapped by gunmen.
It was gathered that Rogers was whisked away to an unknown destination by gunmen around 9p.m on Thursday, April 11, 2024, close to his residence at Rumuosi in Port-Harcourt.
Meanwhile, the International Press Centre, IPC, Centre for Safety and Protection of Journalists, I-CSPJ, has called for a concerted effort towards his immediate release.
The I-CSPJ in a statement signed by Melody Akinjiyan, Press Freedom Officer, IPC revealed that, “Joshua Rogers was driving his official Channels Television branded car when the hoodlums accosted him, 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 N30million ransom for his release, the report revealed.”
Also, the statement added that IPC Executive Director, Lanre Arogundade lamented that the spate of insecurity in the country should be of serious concern to all.
Arogundade also added that, “it is very disturbing that journalists and media practitioners have also become easy targets.”
I-CSPJ enjoined 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.
I-CSPJ also appealed to other national, regional and international media freedom groups, freedom of expression organisations and human rights bodies to join in the clamour for his release and safety.
