The Online Media practitioners Association of Nigeria (OMPAN), has condemned in strong terms the abduction of one of her members and the publisher of Abacityblog.com Mr. Ngozi Blessed Onwukwe in the early hours of Friday March 2nd 2018.
Blessed was whisked away on Ikot Epkene road in Umuahia the Abia state Capital while on his away to cover an assignment in Arochukwu Local Government Area.
OMPAN received the news of his abduction with shock, as the development will not speak welt for the image of the State.
The association is using this medium to notify the general public of attempts by unscrupulous elements in Abia state at trying to intimidate and suppress online media practitioners from carrying out our duties.
We therefore appeal that anyone or group that is responsible for this mindless and shameful abduction to immediately release him.
We are also calling on the security agencies in the State to come to our rescue and secure the release of the Journalist unhurt.
The group strongly calls on the Nigeria Government to ensure that safety of Journalists are guaranteed in carrying out their duties within the country, as this is very important in order to preserve our nascent democracy and freedom of information as enshrined in our constitution.
Signed:
Emeh James Anyaelekwa
National President
