Chidiebele Onyia, a journalist with the Nigerian Television Authority, NTA, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State has been abducted.

Intel available to Eons Intelligence states that Ms Onyia was abducted on Tuesday, 9th February 2021, at about 8:00 pm around the Woji railway area after she and one of her colleagues in programmes department were returning home from work.

A source at the NTA told newsmen that “they were two in their private vehicle before the kidnappers overtook them and kidnapped only the reporter covering education and general beats, but left her colleague in the car.”

Available details on where exactly the abduction took place are sketchy at the time of filing this report, as one Mrs Osinachi Samuel, who claimed to be her colleague said Ms Onyia who works as Production Editor was abducted around Oil Mill axis of Port Harcourt on Tuesday evening.

“Please, there’s a Sister and Colleague in need of freedom from kidnappers. NTA Port Harcourt Reporter, Chidiebere Oyia, was kidnapped Last night around Oil mill axis, on her way from work after NTA News @7. ( She worked as the Production Editor). Please, Sirs and ma’am’s, help us with any means to find her. Please Contact Manager News or any Police near you with valid information for her rescue,” Osinachi wrote.

Read Also: GUNMEN ABDUCT JOURNALIST, TWO CHILDREN FROM THEIR HOMES IN ABUJA

The incident occurred few days after Okechukwu Nnodim, a Punch journalist was kidnapped from his residence in the Arab Road area of Kubwa, Abuja, but was released after 5 days in captivity.

This is not the first time a journalist with NTA and other news platforms would be abducted. There have been an increase abduction incidents involving journalists and media professionals in the country lately.

In May 2020, one Chinyere Okoye, female reporter with Nigeria Television Authority, NTA Aba, was abducted at the gate of her residence in Abia State.

Similarly, on 14th March 2013, Olubunmi Oke, also a female report with the same news outlet was abducted by four gunmen at her Oba-Ile residence in the Akure area of Ondo State.

Anita Josephine Ogonna, a staff of Silverbird Radio and Television in Port Harcourt and one of Chidiebele’s friends who also reported the kidnapping incident on her blog said that she is worried about the recent turn on journalists by kidnappers.

Assessment

It is worrisome that journalists have become prime targets in abduction incidents. Eons Intelligence has gathered series of abduction cases involving journalists and media professionals in the country lately.

Advisory

Security agencies are urged to intensify efforts to secure the freedom of the abducted journalist. Also, journalists are now endangered more than ever and should therefore be mindful of their personal safety. Media establishments are advised to put in place security measures to ensure the safety of their staff.