NUJ Zone C Demands Unconditional Release of Abducted Abia Journalist

The leadership of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Zone C (South East)  received with shock the news of the unfortunate abduction of a journalist with the Abia Council – Chuks Onuoha.

It is rather disheartening that a mere journalist who goes about his reportorial duties without the luxury of an ostentatious lifestyle, will be picked up by unknown assailants.

Family sources say Mr Onuoha, who is a former Abia State Correspondent of The Sun Newspapers, was said to have been kidnapped at his Umungasi Ohuhu family home in Umuahia North Local Government Area of  Abia State at about 10 p.m on Tuesday 14th June, 2022.

We call on Mr Onuoha’s abductors to unconditionally release him for the sake of  his family.

Even if in the line of duty, Mr Onuoha may have stepped on toes due to his reportage, resort to self help and jungle justice are undesirable as any such infraction could be adequately handled by the courts as is expected in a democracy like ours.

Mr Onuoha like other Journalists work to  ensure that society functions with correct information to engender socio-economic development. They are the voice of the voiceless in the society.

Most worrisome is the spate of attacks on journalists who have become endangered species in the society, especially in Abia as this is the third of such incident.

Government and security agencies should swing into action to secure the release of Mr Onuoha.

More security personnel should be deployed in the state and ensure the spate of such incidents are nipped in the bud.

We call on the Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, Commissioner of Police and other government functionaries to ensure the safety of Journalists and the media industry. This is because when the press is gagged or intimidated by such attacks, then the society can never be free.

Signed;

Sir Emma Ifesinachi

Vice President

Comrade Eze Adiuku

Zonal Secretary