More than 12 hours after his abduction, the Police Command in Rivers State has confirmed the abduction of Joshua Rogers, a reporter with Channels Televisionat his residence in Rumuosi, Obio/Akpor area.
SP Grace Iringe-Koko, a police spokesperson, disclosed in Port Harcourt on Friday that the reporter was abducted on Thursday night.
She said, “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.”
Rogers, a Channels Government House Correspondent in Rivers, was abducted at about 9 p.m. on Thursday after returning home from covering an event.
It was gathered that Rogers was trailed after he closed from work to his apartment.
“The gunmen trailed him before he alighted from his car, pointed a gun at him and whisked him away along with his vehicle to an unknown destination at about 9 00 p.m.
“We later heard that the kidnappers later contacted his wife and demanded N30 million for his release,” a source, who pleaded anonymity, said.
Rogers, had earlier covered the inauguration of a Primary Healthcare Centre by Gov. Siminialayi Fubara of Rivers.
“Rogers was returning to his Rumuosi home from Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area, Rivers, when he was kidnapped.
“I do not understand why the gunmen targeted a journalist that is just doing his job of informing, educating and entertaining the public.
“Journalists are known not to be wealthy, and so, the kidnappers should release him immediately and unhurt.”