Abducted journalist and former chairman of Federated Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Bayelsa State Council, Julius Olusegun Osahon, has regained freedom.
Osahon and 17 other passengers were abducted while travelling in a commercial bus along the Patani axis of the East-West Road on Monday, March 28.
The armed men shot dead the driver of the vehicle and abducted the passengers deep into the woods.
A member of the National Executive Council of the NUJ, Chief Festus Ahon, who confirmed the latest development, said that Osahon was released on Friday night, April 1.
“Our kidnapped colleague, Mr Osahon, working in Bayelsa State, has been released in Ughelli, Delta State. He is in stable condition,” Ahon said.
Spokesperson of the Delta State Police Command, DSP Bright Edafe, also confirmed the release of the journalist.
“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 PPRO said he was not aware if any ransom was paid.
It was gathered that the kidnappers had demanded N5 million from the family of the journalist. However, it is unclear if the said amount was paid.