… challenge security agencies, IGP to ensure victims’ safe return
Bayelsa Independent Publishers Association (BIPA) has demanded the immediate release of the abducted Guardian correspondent in Bayelsa State, Mr Julius Osahon.
Osahon, who was on his way to Delta State from Yenagoa, was reportedly abducted when unidentified gunmen suspected to be kidnappers, attacked the bus he was traveling in along the Patani axis of the East-East- West Road, killing the driver and abducting the journalist alongside other passengers.
BIPA, in a statement on Tuesday by its Chairman, Mr. Francis Dufugha, however, condemned Osahon’s abduction, calling for his immediate release.
BIPA also challenged security agencies in Bayelsa and Delta states as well as the Inspector General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, to ensure the immediate and safe release of the kidnapped journalist and other victims.
The full text of the statement by the Bayelsa publishers reads:
BIPA condemns kidnap of Guardian reporter in Bayelsa
We, the members of the Bayelsa Independent Publishers Association (BIPA) have condemned in strong terms the abduction of Mr. Julius Osahon, the Bayelsa State correspondent with the Guardian Newspaper who was on his way to Delta State from Yenagoa, the Bayelsa state capital.
We gathered that armed men suspected to be Kidnappers attacked a passenger bus belonging to a popular transport company, Sunny Eru, that left Yenagoa for Warri and the bus was intercepted by the suspected bandits who shot sporadically, killing the driver and abducting the Guardian journalist alongside other passengers along the Patani axis of the East- West Road.
Consequently, BIPA calls for the immediate and unconditional release of the Yenagoa-based Guardian reporter who is only discharging his responsibility as well as other victims in the vehicle.
We are calling on security agencies in Delta and Bayelsa states as well as the Inspector General of Police to ensure the quick and safe release of the journalist.
Furthermore, we advise the suspected kidnappers to understand that journalists are not money bags who would easily dole out millions of naira for ransom. We enjoin Osahon’s abductors, therefore, to release him accordingly.
Finally, we are using this medium to charge politicians to deliver on their campaign promises so that jobs would be created for the teaming jobless youths most of whom have resorted to carrying of arms and other antisocial vices as a way of survival.
Signed:
Mr. Francis Dufugha
Chairman,
Bayelsa Independent Publishers
Association