Former Correspondent with Sun Newspapers in Umuahia, Abia State, Chucks Onuoha has been abducted by gunmen from his Umungasi, Ohuhu Umuahia country home by gunmen on Tuesday night.
The kidnappers, it was gathered, are demanding a ransom of N10 million before Onuoha, who is now the Editor-in-Chief of All Facts newspaper, will be released.
It was also gathered that he was abducted around 10 pm Tuesday night by the abductors who scaled the fence.
Confirming the report, President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Mr Chris Iziguzo, appealed to security agencies in the country to ensure the safe release of the kidnapped journalist.
Iziguzo made the appeal at an event to celebrate World Elder Abuse Awareness Day 2022 on Wednesday in Abuja.
The event was organised by the National Senior Citizens Centre, headed by Dr Emem Omokaro.
“I just got information from Abia that one of our colleagues, Mr Chucks Onuha, formerly with The Sun Newspaper, has been kidnapped and the kidnappers are demanding N10 million ransom.
“I am sure that this is a journalist who does not have up to a hundred thousand naira in his bank account.
“I want to use this opportunity to call on the Inspector General of Police, the Director-General, Department of State Service and the Commissioner of Police and Director of State Security in Abia to ensure the safe release of Onuha without delay.
“We are not going to continue to tolerate this, where our colleagues on slight comments, are picked like chickens,” Isiguzo said.
The NUJ President said that journalists are serving humanity, adding that they are not bourgeois and do not carry money around.
“I also want to appeal to the kidnappers to please release Onuha. Journalists should not be your target. Remove your searchlight on us. We are not your customers”.
Isiguzo, however, commended Omokaro for her efforts in addressing issues of older persons in the country and promised to support the centre in its endeavours to continue to enhance the livelihood of older persons.
