On Friday, Nigerian police announced the rescue of a media crew that had been kidnapped in the southeast while en route to cover an Africa Cup of Nations match between Nigeria and Libya in Akwa Ibom state.
The southeast region of Nigeria has been plagued by violence, which the government attributes to a separatist movement advocating for the independence of an area where the Igbo ethnic group is predominant.
Tochukwu Ikenga, the police spokesperson for Anambra state, reported that the crew, working for the South African broadcaster Supersport, was abducted by armed men on Wednesday while traveling through Anambra, a known hub of separatist violence. The media team had started their journey from Lagos.
“Joint security forces have successfully rescued six members of the media crew who were kidnapped while traveling from Lagos to Uyo via the Isseke-Orlu Road in Ihiala,” Ikenga stated, adding that efforts were underway to rescue a seventh crew member. Supersport has yet to issue a statement regarding the incident.
Gunmen in the southeastern region frequently target security personnel and government officials.