IPC’s Centre for the Safety and Protection of Journalists (I-CSPJ), Lagos- has called for a concerted effort towards the immediate release of Channels TV reporter, Joshua Rogers, who was whisked away to an unknown place by gunmen around 9p.m on Thursday April 11, 2024, close to his residence at Rumuosi in Port-Harcourt.
In a press release signed by Melody Akinjiyan, Press freedom officer, IPC , and made available to Treasuretimes said , the information
reaching, I-CSPJ reveals that, “Joshua Rogers was driving his official Channels Television branded car when the hoodlums accosted, pointed a gun at him and took him away in the same vehicle.”
According to the statement,Rogers was said to be returning from his official assignment in Government House after a trip to Andoni for a government event when the incident happened.
“Already, the gunmen were said to have contacted his wife and demanded a N30 million ransom for his release, the report revealed.”
IPC Executive Director, Mr. Lanre Arogundade said: “The spate of insecurity in the country should be of serious concern to all adding that it is very disturbing that journalists and media practitioners have also become easy targets.”
I-CSPJ enjoins the Rivers State Government and relevant security agencies to do all they can to ensure that Joshua Rogers is set free without being harmed in any way.
I-CSPJ therefore appeals to other national, regional and international media freedom groups, freedom of expression organisations and human rights bodies to join in the clamour for his release and safety.
