Six of the eleven journalists kidnapped while traveling to Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, to cover the Super Eagles match against Libya have been rescued by security forces. The journalists were reportedly abducted on Wednesday while traveling by bus through Isseke, near the Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State. Unfortunately, one journalist was shot and killed by the kidnappers during the attack.
State police spokesperson SP Tochukwu Ikenga confirmed the incident, stating, "Joint security forces have successfully rescued six members of the media crew who were abducted while traveling from Lagos to Uyo along the Isseke-Orlu Road in Ihiala. Operations are still ongoing to rescue a seventh crew member. Further updates will be provided."
In response to the situation, the National Secretariat of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), represented by Ikenna Okonkwo, urged state chapters to submit the full list and identities of their members covering the Super Eagles' qualifying match. “In light of the rumored kidnapping of sports writers heading to Uyo for the Super Eagles match against Libya, we encourage state chapter leaders to promptly provide the national secretariat with any relevant information regarding any involved SWAN members. Currently, SWAN President Mr. Isaiah Benjamin and the National Executive Committee are focused on the welfare and safety of our members, and we have received numerous inquiries about the situation, though nothing has been confirmed yet,” the statement read