Gunmen abduct Bayelsa reporter, demand N5m ransom

Nathan Tamarapreye, Uyo

Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have abducted a Bayelsa-based journalist Mr Julius Osahon alongside other passengers in transit to Ughelli in Delta.

Osahon, the Correspondent of The Guardian Newspapers, and other passengers were ambushed at Evwreni Community axis along the East-West Road near Patani.

One of the passengers who miraculously escaped told our Correspondent on Tuesday that the ill-fated passenger bus came under attack on Sunday morning.

The surviving victim said that trouble started when the gunmen suddenly emerged from the bush, opened fire on the bus, killed the driver, and abducted passengers, taking them into the bush.

The survivor who narrated the ordeal of the passengers said that five of the kidnapped passengers were miraculously released on Monday at about 8:30 am.

A source in Osahon’s family confirmed the kidnap incident and said that his abductors have already contacted his wife and are demanding N5 million ransom.

It was learnt that the commercial passenger bus operated by Sunny Eru Motors has been recovered and kept at the company’s terminal in Yenagoa with bullet holes all over the bus.

Meanwhile, the Federated Correspondents’ Chapel (FCC) of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Bayelsa Council has condemned the abduction of the Journalist and other Nigerians who were going about their legitimate businesses.

The FCC made its position known on Tuesday in a statement signed Messrs Chris Eze and Bassey Willie, Chairman and Secretary respectively.

FCC, an association of journalists with headquarters outside Bayelsa urged the security agents to ensure that the abducted persons are rescued unhurt.

“The chapel wondered why gunmen would attack one who is only discharging his responsibility as a journalist.

“The chapel urges the security agents both in Bayelsa and Delta states to collaborate and ensure that Mr Osahon and all those abducted in the ill-fated bus are rescued unhurt.

“The Federal and State governments to ensure that there is adequate security on our highways especially the Bayelsa and Delta axis of the East-West Road.

“Security situation in our nation is becoming worrisome on a daily basis, innocent citizens are being killed, kidnapped and their valuables carted away by criminals, that is why we call on the government to discharge its responsibility of protecting citizens’ lives and property optimally.

“Journalists are not wealthy men in the society but just doing their duties to contribute to the growth and development of the nation, that is why we wonder where Mr Osahon will get N5 million demanded by the kidnappers to regain his freedom.” FCC state.