Nigeria: Abducted Journalist Chinenye Iwuoha Regained Freedom, Yet Freedom Of The Press Is Still In Danger
Location: Nigeria, Abia
Date: May 9, 2020
Chinenye Iwuoha, reporter of Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, Pacesetter FM, was abducted by armed bandits while going home after work on Monday. The Commissioner of the Police stated that the journalist has regained her freedom on Wednesday through the efforts of the police forces.
The News Agency of Nigeria reported that Chinenye was kidnapped by armed bandits while returning from work and was released unconditionally following heavy pressure from the police.
It was learnt that the suspects accosted the official Toyota Hikux van conveying home the victim and General Manager of the station, Uche Ndukwu.
The suspects reportedly shot several times at the driver, Kingsley Onyeokuche, before taking Chinenye Iwuoha away to an unknown destination, while the GM and another occupant of the vehicle escaped unhurt.
The yet-to-be identified kidnap suspects were said to have demanded N20 million ransom before they would release her but had to let her free after negotiations with the police.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism is relieved that the journalist is safe and sound yet calls on the authorities to take better measures to ensure safety of women journalists in the country.
The CFWIJ strongly condemns the police brutality against journalists. We demand the immediate return of the press cards seized from the security forces. Policies to intimidate journalists should be abandoned, and journalism should be practiced under the criteria of freedom of the press.
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