Nigerian police have successfully rescued six members of a media crew working for South African broadcaster Supersport, who were kidnapped while en route to cover an Africa Cup of Nations match between Nigeria and Libya in Akwa Ibom state.
Tochukwu Ikenga, police spokesperson for Anambra state, announced on Friday that the crew was abducted by armed men on Wednesday as they traveled through Anambra, a region known for separatist violence. The team was on its way from Lagos to Uyo for the match coverage.
“Joint security forces have successfully rescued six members of the media crew who were abducted while travelling from Lagos to Uyo along Isseke-Orlu Road in Ihiala,” Ikenga stated. He added that a rescue operation for a seventh crew member is ongoing.
The kidnapping occurred in Nigeria’s southeast, an area embroiled in violence that the government attributes to a separatist group campaigning for the secession of a region predominantly populated by the Igbo ethnic group.
REUTERS
