Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State, yesterday, said that his government was working with security agencies to secure the release of kidnapped Vanguard columnist, Donu Kogbara.
Wike, who fielded questions from journalists in Port Harcourt, on the kidnap incident, said residents should work with the government and security agencies to put an end to the ugly incidents of abductions.
Similarly, the Nigerian Guild of Editors, NGE, through its President, Mr Garba Muhammad, has appealed to Kogbara’s kidnappers to release her, saying: “Those holding Donu should remember that they have mothers, sisters, wives and daughters whom they cherish and protect. Donu is also a mother, a wife and a sister to other people who care deeply about her. They must not hurt her and should please release her to return to her family immediately.
“As a columnist, Donu has always stood for the truth, the poor and the downtrodden in her approach to national and local issues. It is, therefore, a big disservice to her that she should be subjected to the traumatic experience of being a victim of kidnapping. We implore her abductors to be humane and to release her unconditionally to continue with her crusade for a better country for all Nigerians.
“On their part the police and other security agencies must take every step necessary to ensure Don’s safe release and to put in place measures that will guarantee the safety and security of all Nigerians, especially those exposed to higher risks such as journalists.”
Wike on his part said: “We are working with security agencies. Everything will be done to secure her release. It is not because she is a journalist, generally we should not allow this to happen. This thing happened the night they changed the former Commissioner of Police. For the new Commissioner of Police to reorganise himself, you can imagine it. These things set us back. Security men are working. The former Commissioner of Police had his security strategy on ground. This new one will begin all over again.
“Those holding Donu should remember that they have mothers, sisters, wives and daughters, who they cherish and protect. Donu is also a mother, a wife and a sister to other people who care deeply about her. Her abductors must not hurt her and should please release her to return to her family immediately.”
He also expressed worries with the frequent change of Commissioners of Police in the state, noting that it was affecting effective security plans and strategies.
The governor recalled that Donu was kidnapped on the night the former Commissioner of Police was transferred, saying that the development was a security set back to the state as it will begin plans all over with the new Commissioner of Police.
A foremost female Niger Delta activist, Ms Annkio Briggs, also condemned the abduction, appealing to the kidnappers to release her unconditionally.
Chairman of the Rivers State council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Mr Ayo Tamuno, also condemned the abduction and called for her release.
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