International Press Centre (IPC’s) Centre for the Safety and Protection of Journalists (I-CSPJ) has urged the Rivers State government and security agents in the state to ensure immediate release of the abducted Channel Television Reporter, Mr Joshua Rogers, who was kidnapped on Thursday.

Rogers was whisked away to an unknown place by gunmen around 9p.m on Thursday April 11, 2024.

He was attacked close to his residence at Rumuosi in Port-Harcourt, while returning from work,

Press Freedom Officer in IPC, Melody Akinjiyan, in a statement on Friday, quoted Executive Director of IPC, Mr. Lanre Arogundade, as saying that 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.

The centre 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.

It was gathered that the abducted reporter 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.

He 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, according to the report. (Daily Trust)