The four kidnapped journalists and their driver, who were abducted eight days ago, were released in the early hours of Sunday in Ukpakiri in Obingwa Local Government Area of Abia State.

However, before their release, the journalists were robbed of their belongings, including slippers and shoes and the sum of N3 million found on them. They also lost the Toyota Sienna bus in which they travelled, to the kidnappers.

Looking unkempt, the victims expressed happiness that they came out alive to meet their colleagues and reunite with their families.
The Lagos state Chairman of the NUJ, Mr Wahab Oba, who narrated their ordeal said they stayed in the kidnappers den with their hopes rising and falling. Shortly after, they were brought to the Police headquarters in Umuahia by a team of policemen.

According to him, the victims were called up at about 1.30 am on Sunday and informed that they were to be released. “We were dropped in a bush in the area. But we came out of the bush around 6.a.m. and walked into the community. Oba, said “we had to lie down inside the bush untill 6 am when we called the attention of some people in the area who took us to the community leader who later handed us over to the police when we told them that we were the journalists that were kidnapped. He said the abductors collected all they had on shared among themselves there and then.

Even though they were not maltreated by the men who seized them, the Lagos Council Chairman said they were completely blindfolded and kept under trees where they were either drenched by the rain or beaten by the sun, including their abductors. “They kept moving us every two hours due to the pressure from police and security operatives and we were blindfolded each time. So, we did not know where they were taking us to at any point in time.”

The Lagos NUJ boss narrated further, “the youths told us that they were only agitated by the affairs of the state, but not interested in the N250 million ransom they requested for.” They called on the Federal Government to adequately equip the police, to make them battle ready for the kidnappers, considering the sophisticated weapons they had. “All the guns I am seeing with the police here are the least we saw with these boys, who were just in their twenties. Only one of them looked like a 30 year old.”

Also speaking, Abia State NUJ Chairman, Mr Hyacinth Okoli commended the police and government for their efforts in ensuring the release of the journalists. He disagreed that the kidnappers were in crime because they were angry with the government. “This is a case of people who have resolved to commit crime since they failed to key into the state government’s amnesty programme,” Okoli said.

Oba said that no ransom was paid to the kidnappers, but disclosed the hoodlums collected about N3 million they had on them. He said, they also lost wristwatches, laptops and other valuables, which the abductors shared among themselves.


http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/news/national/2010/july/19/national-19-07-2010-001.htm

wales:

The four kidnapped journalists and their driver, who were abducted eight days ago, were released in the early hours of Sunday in Ukpakiri in Obingwa Local Government Area of Abia State.

However, before their release, the journalists were robbed of their belongings, including slippers and shoes and the sum of N3 million found on them. They also lost the Toyota Sienna bus in which they travelled, to the kidnappers.

Looking unkempt, the victims expressed happiness that they came out alive to meet their colleagues and reunite with their families.
The Lagos state Chairman of the NUJ, Mr Wahab Oba, who narrated their ordeal said they stayed in the kidnappers den with their hopes rising and falling. Shortly after, they were brought to the Police headquarters in Umuahia by a team of policemen.

According to him, the victims were called up at about 1.30 am on Sunday and informed that they were to be released. “We were dropped in a bush in the area. But we came out of the bush around 6.a.m. and walked into the community. Oba, said “we had to lie down inside the bush untill 6 am when we called the attention of some people in the area who took us to the community leader who later handed us over to the police when we told them that we were the journalists that were kidnapped. He said the abductors collected all they had on shared among themselves there and then.

Even though they were not maltreated by the men who seized them, the Lagos Council Chairman said they were completely blindfolded and kept under trees where they were either drenched by the rain or beaten by the sun, including their abductors. “They kept moving us every two hours due to the pressure from police and security operatives and we were blindfolded each time. So, we did not know where they were taking us to at any point in time.”

The Lagos NUJ boss narrated further, “the youths told us that they were only agitated by the affairs of the state, but not interested in the N250 million ransom they requested for.” They called on the Federal Government to adequately equip the police, to make them battle ready for the kidnappers, considering the sophisticated weapons they had. “[size=18pt]All the guns I am seeing with the police here are the least we saw with these boys[/size], who were just in their twenties. Only one of them looked like a 30 year old.”

Also speaking, Abia State NUJ Chairman, Mr Hyacinth Okoli [size=16pt]commended the police and government for their efforts in ensuring the release of the journalists[/size]. He disagreed that the kidnappers were in crime because they were angry with the government. “This is a case of people who have resolved to commit crime since they failed to key into the state government’s amnesty programme,” Okoli said.

Oba said that no ransom was paid to the kidnappers, but disclosed the hoodlums collected about N3 million they had on them. He said, they also lost wristwatches, laptops and other valuables, which the abductors shared among themselves.


http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/news/national/2010/july/19/national-19-07-2010-001.htm

I just thought I should highlight the key points of the news.

All thanks to the Guys in Black and Black!!

After una go say police no dey work.

#0kija
Did I hear you say all thanks to the police ?
You mean all thanks to the pressure mounted by the entire Nigeria on the kidnappers and the police.

#Kidnapped NUJ Officials
I reserve my comments on these kidnapped officials but I sometimes believe we are the architects of our fortune and misfortune.If not why in God's name did 4 executives have such money on them and yet they still refused to go on their journey by air ?Totally beats my imaginations but atleast we give praise to Allah that they returned home alive and unharmed.

3million cash on journalists on duty?

what will they be doing with so much cash at the point of their capture? it beats my imagination.

#0kija
Did I hear you say all thanks to the police ?
You mean all thanks to the pressure mounted by the entire Nigeria on the kidnappers and the police.

Shey you see Nigerians!!

You mounted pressure on the police! Na police kidnap them?!! If Oga I.G Onovo did not warn them those journalists would still be in the kidnappers custody.
Thanks to the brave men of the Nigerian Police that put their lives on the line going house to house searching an entire community till the kidnappers paniked and released them cos they knew the police was closing in on their hideout.

Congratulations to the Nigerian Police for resolving this issue without bloodshed or ransom.

knotty:

3million cash on journalists on duty?

what will they be doing with so much cash at the point of their capture? it beats my imagination.

Exactly my point!! These men were carrying such an amount without police protection, and when they get kidnapped, its the fault of the Police.
When once they are released from the hospital, the police should investigate these journalists.

I even think this was an inside job by one of the journalists.

^^^, reverse the question , what would have happened if no mill. was found on them.
at least some sort of ransome was paid.
that 3 mill . prob. secure their release.

ode remo:

^^^, reverse the question , what would have happened if no mill. was found on them.
at least some sort of ransome was paid.
that 3 mill . prob. secure their release.

ABI O!!

Those useless Journalists had ransom that they would have used to bail themselves out since and they were waiting for police rescue. Secondly, what kind of kidnapper kidnaps someone who they just collected 3million Naira from??

This news is sounding funny cos kidnappers are opportuinistic people who would settle for quick cash rather than stretch their luck. Except it is political then its different.

#Ode Remo
What you ought to say is imagine if they had saved themselves all this stress and had just travelled by air,after all you and I know that these Excos would certainly have collected or presented vouchers for their journey by air.Even though Uyo destination is relatively new,I know that both Arik and Aero covers the route.

ahh i 4got about arik air ,
now how would the journalist purchase bushmeat , apasun , and what not on the long journey to lagos.
do you want to deny them that luxury?
well thank GOD all is well.

Yes maybe they collected vouchers for their travels, but until we can confirm that they actually were supposed to fly and didnt, we would stick with whats on ground. Meanwhile I doubt if there is a daily flight to Uyo yet.

Now the issue is, what were they doing transporting 3million Naira in cash without police escort (protection), in todays Nigeria where we now have banks that you can pay-in such money and withdraw such without hassles??

Why didnt they use the 3million to bargain with the kidnappers and secure their freedom instead of putting the Nigerian police under such pressure??

The news said they were on their way back from Uyo when they were kidnapped. There is no flight from Uyo to PHC or ABA that I've ever heard of.

knotty:

3million cash on journalists on duty?

what will they be doing with so much cash at the point of their capture? it beats my imagination.

exactly, my point, there is more to this whole story. Something is definitely fishing

lonelypal:

exactly, my point, there is more to this whole story. Something is definitely fishing

what exactly is your point ? That money might have been given to them by their host in akwa ibom.who knows ?

What were the journalists doing with 3 million naira? Whose money was it? For one, they don't get paid that much to have 3 million in cash on them. Hummnh.

wales:

What were the journalists doing with 3 million naira? Whose money was it? For one, they don't get paid that much to have 3 million in cash on them. Hummnh.

Are u forgetting the brown envelopes they collect from the corrupt politicians and officials to turn a blind to the atrocities they commit?

It is case of chicken coming back home to roost

wales:

What were the journalists doing with 3 million naira? Whose money was it? For one, they don't get paid that much to have 3 million in cash on them. Hummnh.

Are u forgetting the brown envelopes they collect from the corrupt politicians and officials to turn a blind to the atrocities they commit?

It is case of chicken coming back home to roost

We are complaining of kidnappers when law makers like bankole are ripping the country off millions of dollars with ease in the name of official duties and engagements and nobody is crying out loud.

redsun:

Are u forgetting the brown envelopes they collect from the corrupt politicians and officials to turn a blind to the atrocities they commit?

It is case of chicken coming back home to roost

i wont doubt that afterall Akpabio is a kind-hearted man who know how to share the state allocation.

~Bluetooth:

i wont doubt that afterall Akpabio is a kind-hearted man who know how to share the state allocation.

That is what they do for f-uck sake,they blow our money like tissue paper,with no sense of accountability and responsibility.Complimentary expenditures they call it.

I'm glad you people can now see that these fraudulent journalists put themselves in a dangerous situation and the Nigerian police should not be expected to jump in everytime like superman to save even people.

I say this 3 million Naira matter should be investigated by the police.

3 million Naira?

I can't believe any sane human being will carry such a large amount when he/she is aware of the spate of Armed Robbery especially in Abia State.

Does the NUJ give their journalist that much travel allowance?

wales:

According to him, the victims were called up at about 1.30 am on Sunday and informed that they were to be released. “We were dropped in a bush in the area. But we came out of the bush around 6.a.m. and walked into the community. Oba, said “we had to lie down inside the bush untill 6 am when we called the attention of some people in the area who took us to the community leader who later handed us over to the police when we told them that we were the journalists that were kidnapped. He said the abductors collected all they had on shared among themselves there and then.

They collected all they had, including wristwatches and laptops yet Mr Oba was able to keep track of time.
Brilliant Journalist! I guess he used the position of the moon to know the time.

wales:

“All the guns I am seeing with the police here are the least we saw with these boys, who were just in their twenties. Only one of them looked like a 30 year old.”

Lets differentiate between a 30 year old and a twenty something year old.

The boys weren't wearing masks. They must be bloody numskulls.

He also said they were blindfolded all the time.How did they manage to observe all those things with blindfold?

redsun:

He also said they were blindfolded all the time.How did they manage to observe all those things with blindfold?

I don't think he meant all the time. It may simply be a case of comprehension on the part of the interviewer.

wales:

Even though they were not maltreated by the men who seized them, the Lagos Council Chairman said they were completely blindfolded and kept under trees where they were either drenched by the rain or beaten by the sun, including their abductors. “They kept moving us every two hours due to the pressure from police and security operatives and we were blindfolded each time. So, we did not know where they were taking us to at any point in time.”

They were probably blindfolded each time they wanted to move.

Completely blindfolded and kept under tree does not imply while they are moving,does it?

I think these journalists should be investigated. Something just dosent add up in their story.

What were they doing with N3 million in cash? no wonder the kidnappers started with N200m

The whole tory dey smell of fish.

Why are Nigerians so eager to take away the glory of these freed criminal journalists from the Police.

I think the Nigerian police did credibly well in ensuring their release.