Kidnapped Nigerian journalists released

In the words of Wahab Oba, chairman of the Lagos state chapter of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, "Due to the pressure from various quarters, the kidnappers had to release us this morning,"

Commenting on their ordeal, Sylva Okereke told private TV channels that, “They dragged us about in the bush and blindfolded us. It was a harrowing experience."

"Although we were not beaten, the incident was traumatic," he said.

Okereke said some of the group suffered minor injuries and needed medical care.

He said the kidnappers were forced to let them go "when they realised that the security agents were closing in on them. Helicopters were used to survey the area and they had to give up."

Kidnapped with Okereke, the union's assistant secretary, were Abdulwahab Oba, NUJ chairman in Lagos; Adolphus Okonkwo, a regional secretary of the union; and Shola Oyeyipo, a Lagos-based reporter and their driver.

According to Abia State’s police spokesman, Ali Okechukwu, "They are with us right now at the police headquarters in Umuahia, the State’s capital, hale and hearty."

Meanwhile, President Goodluck Jonathan, who has made improving security in the Niger Delta one of his priorities, has welcomed the release.

According to Ima Niboro, special adviser to the president, “Even as we celebrate freedom today, let us insists that this spate of criminality must stop."  

To Emmanuel Ojukwu, an Assistant Commissioner of Police and Force Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) said the kidnappers released the journalists as security forces closed in on their location in Abia state.

“You are aware the moment they (the journalists) were abducted by the criminals the Nigerian police launched a massive onslaught against the suspected areas, and so the criminals surrendered their captives,” he said.

Ojukwu said the released journalists told police that they were treated humanely by their captors, although they said their ordeal was traumatic.

“The hostages told us they were fairly treated. They were blindfolded, but they were normally treated,” he Ojukwu said.

In the interim, consequent upon the embarrassing scenario of kidnapping in the Abia State, the government has come down hard on traditional rulers alleged to be involved in abductions and other criminal activities.

Just yesterday, Sunday, the government arrested the traditional ruler of Amauba-Ime Oboro Autonomous Community in Ikwuano Local Government Area of the state, Eze Vincent Okezie Uche, who is said to have already been charged to court “for sponsoring kidnapping and armed robbery.”

A special statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Theodore Orji, Mr. Kingsley Emereuwa, said the royal father was also dethroned.

The government also suspended three traditional rulers namely Eze Okechukwu Atulobi of Osusu Abala Autonomous Community, Eze Nwabiaraije Eneogwe of Abayi Autonomous Community and Eze S. Onwukwe of Abala Ibeme Autonomous Community, all in Obingwa Local government of the state.