Nigeria: Kidnapping cases of women journalists is utterly worrying, Chinyere Okoye was released

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June 1, 2020, Abia, Nigeria -- Chinyere Okoye, a woman reporter with the Nigeria Television Authority, NTA, Aba, was kidnapped Wednesday night by unknown gunmen after work. The CFWIJ learnt from sources that she was picked up in front of her home’s gate as she tried to enter her compound. Reports say that kidnappers drove her away in her own car. These reports have been of high concern for us. 

Reports of this kidnapping have emerged at a time when another female journalist Pacesetter FM presenter was also reported to be abducted less than a month ago. She was later released a few days after her kidnap.
According to Premium News, General Manager NTA Aba, Nwadi Elobuike, who confirmed the incident expressed shock at the development. She noted that she left the station after the 7 p.m. news, “about the same time with Chinyere only to be alerted of the development as she was about to enter her house.”

Credit: https://www.mfwa.org/partner-highlights/ipc-calls-for-release-of-kidnapped-female-nta-reporter/

Credit: https://www.mfwa.org/partner-highlights/ipc-calls-for-release-of-kidnapped-female-nta-reporter/

In addition to Premium News, the Media Foundation of West Africa (MFWA), The International Press Centre (IPC) released a statement of the incident. In the statement, Lanre Arogundade, Executive Director of IPC, said it was worrisome that journalists have become endangered species, emphasizing the importance of supporting efforts to improve safety of journalists in the country. 

The IPC also published the statement referring to the devastating incident and added: “While calling on the security agencies to intensify efforts to secure the freedom of the abducted journalist, Arogundade stressed that journalists are now endangered more than ever and should therefore be mindful of their personal safety.”

News website Naijamood also aired the kidnapping of the journalist. The news outlet added, “It was gathered that the incident took place last night at Obikabia road off Ogbor Hill, in Obingwa Local Government Area of the state as she was heading back home from work.”

The IFEX, the global network defending and promoting free expression, expressed their deep concern posting the incident on their Twitter account. 

Additionally, The Nation News exposed Chinyere’s release figuring that “Though information about her release was still sketchy, it was learnt that she regained her freedom on Friday morning.”

The kidnapped official of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Chinyere Okoye, has regained freedom on Friday morning. Although information about her release was still sketchy (it was not revealed whether any ransom was paid or not), she was released after operatives of the State Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) and other police tactical units stormed the kidnappers’ den.

The Coalition For Women In Journalism is alarmed and utterly worried about the safety of journalists in the country. We demand authorities to ensure such atrocities never happen again.