In a distressing incident on Thursday night, Mr. Joshua Rogers, a journalist and reporter associated with Channels Television, was kidnapped from his home in Rumuosi, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State. Rogers, who covers news related to the Rivers State Government House for the channel, was reportedly followed by unknown gunmen after he concluded his work for the day.
The perpetrators intercepted Rogers as he was about to leave his vehicle, brandishing a firearm and forcefully taking him and his car to an undisclosed location around 9 pm. According to an anonymous source, Rogers had previously covered an event in Ndoni, Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area, where Governor Siminalayi Fubara inaugurated a primary healthcare center. The PAMO Educational Foundation, founded by former Rivers governor Dr. Peter Odili, generously donated the facility to the state during the event.
Confirming the incident, the source stated, “Yes, he was kidnapped last night at his residence in Rumuosi and taken away in his car by some unknown gunmen. We urge the kidnappers to release him immediately and unharmed. He is simply a journalist performing his duty and is not a person of substantial wealth. Hence, the motive behind his abduction remains uncertain.”
Furthermore, it has been reported that the kidnappers have reached out to Rogers’ wife, demanding a ransom of N30 million for his safe release.
Efforts to contact the spokesperson for the State Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, for official confirmation have been unsuccessful thus far. Calls made went unanswered, and a text message sent to her remains unanswered as of the time of publication on Friday morning.
