Group Tasks FG over Kidnapped Journalists

Kenneth O. Eze

While the world anxiously awaited the release of Wahab Oba, kidnapped chairman of the Lagos chapter of Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), as at press time last week, a group, Brand Journalists’ Association of Nigeria (BJAN), has called on government at all levels to rally around the leadership of the NUJ to fast track the release of their kidnapped colleagues.

Neta Nwosu, president of BJAN, says it would be difficult for members of the fourth estate of the realm to solve the problem alone noting that government and private sector involvement can more easily yield results. She says, “While we are appealing to government and all well meaning individuals to come to the aid of these helpless journalists, we appeal passionately to the kidnappers to release the affected people and see them as progressive individuals who have consistently used their God given talents to help society.”

Nwosu is of the view that the development is threatening to the growth of journalism, which underscores the need for government to quickly intervene in this case and take steps to put adequate security in place for practicing journalists. She further stresses that “as a profession expected to be the watchdog of the society and that has contributed immensely to the progress of the nation, government should not be found wanting in the area of provision of adequate security for journalists.”

A desperate and passionate cry from the kidnapped journalists making rounds on the Internet quotes Oba thus: “We are okay in the hideout. They have treated us well so far. There has not been any form of harm done to us; but nothing is as good as having your freedom. Please pray for us.” The journalists appear to have lost faith in the law apparatus of the state, thereby resorting to sending prayer requests, counting on God for their rescue.