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The Anambra State Police Command has rescued about six sports journalists who were kidnapped by yet-to-be-identified assailants along the Isseke community in Ihiala Local Government Area of the state.
The state police spokesman, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, disclosed this to our correspondent on Thursday, adding that the journalists were rescued after a joint security operation was launched after the police intercepted the information of the kidnap of the journalists.
PUNCH Metro gathered that some yet-to-be-identified assailants had, on Wednesday, kidnapped a group of sports journalists in Isseke community.
They were said to be travelling to Uyo, Awka Ibom State to cover the Nigeria vs Libya African Cup of Nations qualifying match billed to take place at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, on Friday.
The Isseke community, a border town between Anambra and Imo states, had recorded many attacks in recent times from hoodlums suspected to be members of a secessionist movement.
Our correspondent gathered that the journalists, numbering about 11, were travelling in a bus through Isseke around Ihiala area on Wednesday when they were feared kidnapped.
A source who spoke with our correspondent on Thursday on the condition of anonymity also disclosed that nine of the journalists were rescued, while one was feared killed, adding that four of the victims were still being held in captivity. This was however not confirmed by the police.
Some locals who spoke to our correspondent who visited the scene, also said two policemen were attacked in the process.
One of the locals who craved anonymity said, “On Wednesday, some armed hoodlums hijacked a bus going to somewhere. The victims seemed not to know their way around. They started heading to Isseke, and that was where the attack happened. We later heard that they were a press crew.
“The hoodlums also picked up two policemen they met at Isseke, who seemed to be escorting some people to somewhere. They killed one of the policemen in the Nwafor area in Isseke and burnt his corpse in the market square. They took the other one to Awo Idemili, where he was found dead.
“Soldiers have been in the town since the incident took place, shooting endlessly, but haven’t been able to arrest anyone.
“A popular opinion is that if they mean to arrest anybody, a bounty should be placed on the head of the perpetrators and within days, they will be apprehended and that will also serve as a deterrent to others.”
Meanwhile, the Anambra State Police Command, through the spokesman, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the incident.
Ikenga, who spoke to our correspondent on Thursday, insisted only six members of the sports journalists had been rescued.
He, however, did not confirm if any police officer was killed during the incident.
He said, “We intercepted the information being shared on various social media platforms on Wednesday, and we went to work immediately.
“As I speak to you, a joint operation is ongoing. The joint security forces have successfully rescued six members of the media crew who were abducted while travelling from Lagos to Uyo along Isseke-Orlu Road in Ihiala.
“Meanwhile, operations are still ongoing for the possible rescue of the seventh crew member.
“Further development shall be communicated, please.”
