IPC Decries Kidnap Of Channels TV Reporter

… Want Security Agencies To Facilitate Release 

By Joseph Sunday 

The International Press Centre’s IPC’s I-CSPJ in Lagos has decried the abduction and the safety and protection of the kidnapped Reporter, from the Channel Television, by name, Joshua Rogers into an unknown location close to his residence at Rumuosi in Port-Harcourt by gunmen around 9:00pm on Thursday, the 11th of April, 2024.

According to a statement made available to newsmen on Friday by the IPC Press Freedom Officer, Melody Akinjiyan, she said, information that reached the I-CSPJ reveals that, “Joshua Rogers 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.” 

Rogers 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, the report revealed.”

IPC Executive Director, Mr. Lanre Arogundade said: “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.”

I-CSPJ enjoins the Rivers State Government and relevant security agencies to do all they can to ensure that Joshua Rogers is set free without being harmed in any way. 

I-CSPJ therefore appeals 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.