Fear has gripped journalists practicing in Abia State following the abduction of the Correspondent of The Nation newspapers, Mr. Ugochukwu Ugoji Eke.

Eke was kidnapped in front of his residence in the commercial city of Aba around 7:30 p.m. Sunday. Witnesses said the hoodlums pounced on his car and dragged him out and sped away in their own car to an unknown destination.

News Express learnt that the kidnappers have made contact with his family, demanding N20 million.

Abia State Government, the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and the Correspondents Chapel, in their separate reactions, called for the unconditional release of the journalist.

Abia State Government, through the alternate Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Chief Don Ubani, condemned the abduction of the journalist, assuring that government would partner with security agencies to ensure he is released unharmed.

Chairman of Abia Council of NUJ, Comrade John Emejor, made a passionate appeal to the kidnappers to let go of Eke, whom he described as a gentleman and a core professional who cannot hurt a fly.

Chairman of the Correspondents Chapel, Comrade Emma Ugwu, described the development as worrisome as it would make journalists to operate with fear in Abia in the run-up to the 2015 general elections. He said the kidnapped journalist was not flamboyant and should not have been the kidnappers’ target.

Other journalists, all wearing long faces, made passionate appeals for the unconditional release of their colleague.

News Express recalls that in July 2010, three journalists were kidnapped in Abia but later released.

•Photo shows Governor TA Orji of Abia State.

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