Gunmen have freed the Channels Television crew and about 13 other
journalists kidnapped in the Niger Delta creeks over the weekend.
Channels Television's energy correspondent, Olu Philips and cameraman,
Polynus Odedeyi said they were returning from an official assignment
when they were abducted. They had gone to cover an event at the
Ogedengbe Gas Plant in Warri, Delta State.
President Goodluck Jonathan was earlier expected to commission the $16
billion export processing zone project, but the event was called-off.
In a telephone interview, Philips spoke from the Naval base in Warri,
Delta State, recounting their experience in the hands of the
kidnappers.
(Photo-2: Channels Cameraman, Polynus Odedeyi (in Black) and other
journalists freed by abductors)
He said that the crew had boarded a boat on their way back to town
after covering an event when they were accosted by the kidnappers off
the creeks of Gbaramatu in an area called Escravos, in Delta State's
riverine area.
"Around 11:00am, we saw another speed boat coming behind us. They were
about six boats. They caught up with us, asked us to stop and
surrounded us.
"They had guns with them and they asked us where we were coming from
and we told them we went there to cover an event. They said we were
spies and they collected our camera and put it in another boat, after
hitting the camera man.
"They made some calls and decided to take us to Gbaramatu. They took
us to a High Chief popularly known as Tompolo.
"They beat up some other persons that were not journalists. After
beating them, they handed them a rifle with three magazine and asked
us to stand behind them that we were criminals and that they saw the
rifle and pistols with us. They took photographs of us and were
posting it on the internet that we were all criminals, Philips said.
According to him, the abductors made several threats that they will
kill and throw them into the river.
He further said that they were held hostage till about 6-7pm before
some Naval officials arrived and they were handed over to them.
--ChannelsTV
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