Gunmen abducted Mr. Joshua Rogers, a staff reporter with Channels Television, at his residence in Rumuosi, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State on Thursday night.
Rogers, was reportedly trailed from work to his home before he was whisked away, PeoplesPen24 learnt.
According to reports, the assailants intercepted Rogers before he could exit his car, brandishing firearms and forcibly taking him, along with his vehicle, to an undisclosed location around 9 pm.
Sources, preferring anonymity, disclosed that Rogers had earlier covered an event at a Primary Healthcare Centre inauguration in Ndoni,Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area, attended by Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
The center was constructed and donated by the PAMO Educational Foundation, founded by former Rivers governor, Dr. Peter Odili.
One source lamented, “Yes, he was kidnapped last night at his residence in Rumuosi and taken away in his car by some unknown gunmen. We are appealing to the kidnappers to release him immediately and unhurt.
He is just a journalist doing his job and not a money bag. So I don’t know the purpose of his kidnap.”
It has been reported that the abductors have contacted Rogers’ wife, demanding N30 million as ransom for his release.
Efforts to reach the spokesperson for the State Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, for confirmation were unsuccessful as calls and text messages remained unanswered as of Friday morning.