The International Press Centre (IPC) Centre for the Safety and Protection of Journalists (I-CSPJ), Lagos-Nigeria is calling for a concerted effort towards the immediate release of Channels TV reporter, Joshua Rogers, who was whisked away to an unknown place by gunmen around 9p.m on Thursday April 11, 2024, close to his residence at Rumuosi in Port-Harcourt.

Information reaching, 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.”

The Police Command in Rivers has confirmed the abduction of the reporter at his residence in Rumuosi, Obio/Akpor area of Rivers. The command’s spokesperson, SP Grace Iringe-Koko said the police are collaborating with other security agencies to secure his early release from his abductors.

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 encourages 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.

melodyakinjiyan@ipcng.org

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Melody Akinjiyan
Program Officer

International Press Centre (IPC), Lagos, Nigeria
IPC is Nigeria’s foremost media capacity development organization.
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