The Channels Television reporter, Joshua Rogers, who was abducted in Rivers State, has regained his freedom.
Rogers was kidnapped around 9pm on Thursday, after he was reportedly trailed to his residence.
His attackers reportedly accosted him at gunpoint, and whisked him away in his car.
The hoodlums later contacted his wife, demanding N30 million as ransom.
A few hours after the incident, the kidnap of Rogers flooed the media space, with different groups calling for his unconditional release.
It is not clear if ransom was paid for his release.
He was sighted at the residence of his elder brother with other family members and friends singing praises unto God.
The Rivers State Police Command is yet to make an official statement on the incident.
Earlier, the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) had called for the immediate release of Rogers.
The NUJ President, Chris Iziguzo, made the call while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Abuja.
“Following the abduction, the abductors contacted his wife, demanding a ransom of N30 million for his release.
“The NUJ is deeply concerned about the escalating insecurity faced by journalists and media practitioners in the country.
“It is distressing that individuals involved in the vital work of informing the public have become targets of criminal activities.
“The NUJ hereby appeals to the Government of Rivers and relevant security agencies to prioritize efforts towards securing the safe and immediate release of Rogers,” he said.
The NUJ president emphasised the need to ensure journalists’ well-being and safety during this critical time.
Isiguzo underscored the gravity of the situation and stressed the need for concerted action to address the rising threats against journalists across Nigeria.
“We urge for swift and effective measures to be taken to secure Rogers’ freedom and bring an end to this distressing ordeal.
“The NUJ stands in solidarity with Rogers, his family, Channels TV and we demand immediate action to secure his safe return,” Isiguzo said.
The International Press Centre for the Safety and Protection of Journalists (I-CSPJ) had also called for the immediate rescue of the journalist.
A statement by the I-CSPJ, read: “IPC’s Centre for the Safety and Protection of Journalists (I-CSPJ), Lagos-Nigeria, is calling for a concerted effort towards the immediate release of Channels TV reporter, Joshua Rogers, who was whisked away to an unknown place by gunmen around 9 p.m on Thursday, April 11, 2024, close to his residence at Rumuosi in Port-Harcourt.
“Information reaching I-CSPJ reveals that ‘Joshua Rogers was driving his official Channels Television-branded car when the hoodlums accosted, pointed a gun at him and took him away in the same vehicle’.
“Rogers was said to be returning from his official assignment in Government House after a trip to Andoni for a government event when the incident happened.
“Already, the gunmen were said to have contacted his wife and demanded a N30 million ransom for his release, the report revealed.
“IPC Executive Director, Lanre Arogundade, said: ‘The spate of insecurity in the country should be of serious concern to all, adding that it is very disturbing that journalists and media practitioners have also become easy targets’.
“I-CSPJ enjoins the Rivers State Government and relevant security agencies to do all they can to ensure that Joshua Rogers is set free without being harmed in any way.”