The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has called for immediate release of the abducted PUNCH reporter Okechukwu Nnodim.
The union made the call in a statement jointly signed by its chairman Emmanuel Ogbeche and secretary Ochiaka Ugwu on Friday.
Mr Nnodim was abducted from his Abuja residence by four men who fired gunshots into the air and gained access to the residence by scaling the fence.
“We condemn the heinous act in totality and call for unconditional release of Nnodim for him to be reunited with his family and colleagues,” the union said.
“A fundamental pre-requisite for free media is that journalists be allowed to move freely in their efforts to gather and transmit information.
“We urge the kidnappers to release the journalist immediately, we call on security agencies to ensure that he and all those held by kidnappers and bandits are rescued.”
The NUJ also urged security agencies to ensure that the gunmen are brought to justice.
“It is worrisome that, over the years, journalists have been assaulted while covering events, others have been threatened for doing their constitutional duties.
“As a council, we demand that immediate steps should be taken to arrest the ugly development so that journalists can fulfill their constitutional mandate unhindered,” the council added.
