Channels TV journalist kidnapped in Imo

Journalists operating in Imo State, have
now become an endangered group,
following the forceful kidnap of the
Channels Television correspondent, Mr.
Tope Kutiyi, by unknown armed men in
the early hours of Monday.
Emerging report showed that Kutiyi, was
jolted from his sleep by the rampaging
hoodlums, after they successfully scaled
through the perimeter fence of his residence in Federal Housing Estate, Umuguma, and whisked away to an unknown destination by his captors.
Although, it was not clear if the hoodlums
removed anything from the house, but
Kutiyi’s wife was not at home when the
kidnappers struck, because she went to visit her sister, whose husband reportedly died. Meanwhile, passionate appeals have been sent to the correspondent’s captors, to release him unconditionally and unharmed.
The Speaker of Imo State House of
Assembly, Chief Acho Ihim, who said he
received the news with shock, also
described the incident as “regrettable,
uncharitable, unchristian and anachronistic”.
Chief Ihim described Mr. Kutiyi as “a
complete gentleman, who does his job with sentimental attachment” , equally wondered why he should be a target for kidnappers.
Reacting also on behalf of Governor Rochas Okorocha, his Chief Press Secretary, CPS, Mr. Sam Onwuemeodo, said “the young man is only a reporter who cannot be said to have been kidnapped because of money” ,
adding that only those behind the act know why they decided to inconvenience the reporter and his family.
“Those holding the reporter should please
release him to reunite with his family. A
reporter cannot afford to pay any ransom.
To some of us, he may have been a victim of mistaken identity”, Okorocha said.
The Governor also reasoned that “they must have done this to blackmail the state government, having been heavily
commended for fighting and reducing cases of kidnapping and other heinous crimes in the state to the nearest minimum”. When contacted, the Commissioner of Police, Mr.
Taiwo Lakanu, confirmed the incident and
quickly added that the Command was
already at work to unravel those behind the crime.