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Nigeria must protect journos following hostage release - WAN-IFRA

11 Mar 2010

The World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers (WAN-IFRA) and the International Association of Sports Newspapers (IASN) have welcomed the release of kidnapped South African sound engineer Nic Greyling and Nigerian commentator Bowie Attamah in Nigeria but remind the Nigerian authorities that it is the duty of the state to provide an environment in which journalists are able to carry out their professional duties without fear of violence.

The two were abducted at gunpoint on 1 March 2010 near the southern town of Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria.

The journalists were part of a team of 21 media professionals travelling to a local airport after covering a Nigerian Premier League football match for South African broadcaster M-Net/SuperSport.

M-Net/SuperSport spokesperson Caroline Creasy confirmed their release, stating that Bowie Attamah was released on 5 March, Nick Greyling on 8 March and a third hostage, Alexander Effiong, had escaped from his captors on 2 March.