13th July, 2010
Labour leaders have condemned the kidnapping of Mr. Wahab Oba, Lagos State Council Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and three other colleagues.
They described the unfortunate incident as a slight on the journalism profession, and urged the government not to relent in the fight against kidnapping in the country.
Mr. Adetunji Adesunkanmi, President, Senior Staff Association of Communications, Transport and Corporation (SSACTAC), told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the kidnap of journalists was a most reprehensible development.
NAN reports that Oba and three other victims were returning to Lagos from Akwa Ibom, when they were kidnapped at the border town of Obot Akara-Umuahia, in Abia.
The kidnappers are demanding N250 million ransome to release the union officials who were in Akwa Ibom to attend the annual National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of NUJ.
Adesunkanmi said the development showed the level of insecurity in the country, and urged government and security agencies to take necessary measures to reverse the trend.
The Trade Union Congress (TUC) also said in a statement signed by its President, Mr. Peter Esele, and General Secretary, Mr. John Kolawole, that it was sad the rate of kidnapping was on the increase.
It urged government to do everything possible to curb the crime.