Abducted Bayelsa journalist regains freedom

The Delta State Police Command has confirmed the release of an abducted journalist, Julius Olusegun Osahon, a former chairman of Federated Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Bayelsa State Council.

Osahon, who was a former freelancer with the Nigerian Observer, was abducted on Monday, March 28, 2022.

He was released on the night of Friday, April 1, 2022 according to a member of the National Executive Council of the NUJ, Chief Festus Ahon.

According to him: “Our kidnapped colleague, Mr Osahon, working in Bayelsa State, has been released in Ughelli, Delta State.

“He is in stable condition. From Edo Council chairman.”

Osahon and about 17 other passengers were travelling in a commercial bus when they were kidnapped by gunmen along the Patani axis of the East-West Road.

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The armed men shot dead the driver of the vehicle and abducted the passengers, including the journalist, deep into the woods. 

The Delta Police Public Relations Officer PPRO DSP Bright Edafe, confirmed the release of the correspondent.

“They were four persons remaining. Others have been released before then.Those released yesterday night were two females and two males,” he noted.

When asked how much ransom was paid to the kidnappers, the Delta Police image-maker said he was not aware if any ransom was paid.

Osahon’s abductors had, after the abduction, demanded N5 million from the family of the journalist. It is unclear if the said amount was paid.