Police Confirm Release Of Abducted Columnist

Vanguard Newspaper columnist, Donu Kogbara

The police in Rivers State on Saturday confirmed the release of Vanguard Newspaper columnist, Donu Kogbara, abducted from her residence 11 days ago. The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ahmad Muhammad, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Port Harcourt that Kogbara was freed in the early hours of Saturday.

He said the state commissioner of police, Mr Musa Kimo, had already visited Kogbara in her family residence in Port Harcourt.

Muhammad said Kogbara was in good condition and had reunited with her family.

News Agency of Nigeria report continues:

The police spokesman, however, did not say if any ransom was paid before she was released or if any arrest was made.

Kogbara was kidnapped in front of her house in the Nkpogu area of Port Harcourt on Sunday, Aug. 30.

She worked for the BBC, Channel 4, the Sunday Times and the Mail and has been reporting for the Vanguard newspaper for some 30 years.

She was visiting her family in the Rivers when she was abducted.

NAN recalls that on Sept. 9, Rivers State commissioner of police said five suspected kidnappers had been killed by the authorities and three kidnap victims rescued.

Speaking about Kogbara, he said: “Let me assure you and her family that we are doing all that is humanly possible to safely rescue and reunite her with you and her family members,” he said.