Official: Police rescue Nigerian journalists held captive in country’s south
By APSunday, July 18, 2010
Police rescue Nigerian journalists
ABUJA, Nigeria — An official says police have rescued four Nigerian journalists kidnapped in the country’s oil-rich, but volatile southern delta a week ago.
The reporters were rescued early Sunday, “from the bush,” says Anthony Agbazuere, the spokesman for the governor of Abia state where the journalists were being held.
Agbazuere declined to give more details saying a news conference would be held shortly.
Gunmen seized the journalists from a bus they were traveling in on July 12. They demanded a ransom of $1.67 million, which they later reduced to $198,675.
Attacks against journalists are not uncommon in Nigeria. But kidnappings of local journalists are rare as many have low wages and must sell advertisements for their sections.
