A/Ibom Journalists Set For Showdown Over Non-Release Of Kidnapped Corp Members
By Uko Etim, Uyo
The Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Akwa Ibom State Council has declared to stage a street protest against the non-release of the prospective Corps Members who were kidnapped in Zamfara state. This was contained in a communique issued at the end of the NUJ State Congress on Wednesday in Uyo.
The Communique was jointly signed by the Chairman, of the Communique Drafting Committee, Comrade Peter Bassey, the Secretary of, the Communique Drafting Committee, Comrade Imaobong Dem, members of the Communique Drafting Committee, Comrade Emem Solomon Noah, the State Chairman of NUJ, Comrade Amos Etuk and the State Secretary of NUJ, Comrade Dominic Akpan respectively.
According to the Communique, the Union noted that it will be marching the streets of Uyo with the families of the victims to register its displeasure over the inability of the federal government to secure the release of the corps members from the kidnappers’ den.
The Communique reads in parts, “Worried by the non-release of the remaining prospective Corps members from Akwa Ibom in Zamfara State more than five months after they were kidnapped by terrorists, Congress condemned the inability of security agencies to secure their release.
“The Congress also condemned the empty assurances by the Federal Government of working behind the scenes to secure their safe return as well as the disposition of Akwa Ibom State Government and threatened to march through the streets of Uyo with the families of the victims as a way of telling the Federal Government that the lives of the Akwa Ibom Four matter.
“Congress reminded the Governments at all levels that it is their primary responsibility to protect the lives and property of the citizens, wondering if the kidnapped prospective Corps members would still be in the custody of the terrorists till date if they were children of occupants of Aso Rock or Government Houses in the 36 States of the Country.”
The Union, who congratulated the State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno on his recent Supreme Court victory, appealed to him to expedite action on the payment of compensation to residents and business owners of Itu road whose properties were destroyed for drainage construction.
