WARRI – Gunmen has reportedly abducted Osahon Julius , a journalist with the Guardian Newspaper and former chairman, Federated Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Bayelsa State Council, and 17 other passengers.
The kidnapped victims were abducted on Monday night, while travelling along the East-West road, by Ewreni junction Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State, while the driver, a staff of sunny Eru Motors was shot and killed by the kidnappers.
Osahon, who was once a freelancer with the Nigerian Observer, hails from Edo State, and he is the current Guardian correspondent in Bayelsa State.
The gunmen have reportedly established contact with the journalist’s wife, demanding five million naira ransom for his release.
A Warri-based lawyer, Mr. Lucky Egboyi Esq, who said he escaped the scene by the whiskers, told journalists in Warri that they were returning from Bayelsa State when they ran into the herdsmen operating in the road.
He disclosed that the suspected herdsmen shot the Sunny Eru driver in the head and kidnapped several passengers.
“It was a narrow escape for me and a few others because we had to run into the bush. The policemen who came ran away with their van,” he claimed.
Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Bright Edafe while confirming the unfortunate incident, said efforts were on to ensure the victims release.
“Yes, it is confirmed, but all efforts are on now to ensure that they are rescued unhurt, and serious efforts and manhunt for the hoodlums is ongoing”. Edafe said.
