A journalist in Imo State, Miss Chidi Opara, who was kidnapped in Umuoba Uratta in Owerri North Local Government Area of the state Wednesday night has been released.
The state commissioner of police, Mr. Austin Evbakhavbokun told journalists yesterday that Opara, a chief correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria, the NAN told was released late Thursday night in the outskirt of the state capital.
He disclosed that the journalists was released because of the pressure mounted by the men of the police force in the 24 hours.
The CP said that his men were still looking for the abductors, insisting that the police must bring the abductors to book.
Opara was abducted while returning from the meeting of the Imo State chapter of the National Association of Women Journalists, NAWOJ, in front of her residence at Uratta near Owerri, the State Capital around 8 pm on Tuesday.
Though, it was not clear if the family paid any ransom before the journalist was released, but, 247ureports.com had learnt from family sources that the kidnappers had contacted the family and demanded a ransom of N8m.
The state chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Sir Innocent Igwe expressed happiness that the police acted swiftly to get one of his members released within 24 hours of her kidnap.
He however expressed surprise that a journalist who should be treated as sacred entity could be kidnapped.
The NUJ chairman therefore called on the police to unravel those behind the kidnap of the journalist and ensure they were brought to justice.
