The Lagos State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists has strongly condemned the abduction of Toyin Nwosu, the wife of the Deputy Managing Director and Deputy Editor-in-Chief of The Sun Newspapers, Steve Nwosu. It has therefore, called for her immediate and unconditional release.
Mrs. Nwosu was abducted in the early hours of Monday when kidnappers stormed the residence of the Nwosus in Lagos and perfected their dastardly act.
The Council in a statement by its Chairman, Deji Elumoye, and Secretary, Bimbo Oyetunde, wondered why journalists have suddenly become the targets of kidnap, recalling that It was just last weekend that Donu Kogbara, a columnist with Vanguard Newspapers, was released by her abductors in Port Harcourt, Rivers State after spending one week in captivity.
The NUJ said: “We Condemn this dastardly act and we appeal to the kidnappers to please free harmless Mrs Nwosu immediately and unconditionally.”
The Lagos NUJ called on the Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase, and his team to live up to billing in securing the lives of the citizenry while appealing to the Lagos State Government not to relent in efforts at ensuring safety of the people and their properties.
Recalling that a number of journalists had been kidnapped in the past, the statement said the spleen is becoming alarming, wondering why journalists who go about their lawful duties are now target of criminals
The statement further said: “Journalists have become endangered species in this country. We are now being targeted for abduction. One wonders why the kidnappers are doing this.
“We recall the kidnap in 2010 of immediate past Chairman of Lagos NUJ, Alhaji Wahab Oba, two train secretaries of the Lagos NUJ, the late Adolphus Okonkwo and Sylva Okereke, and Sola Oyeyipo of ThisDay Newspapers while on Their way back to Lagos from Akwa Ibom State.
“We urge the Nigeria Police to live up to expectation and we also seek the cooperation of the state government in rescuing Mrs Nwosu.”