Nigerian police announced on Friday that they had successfully rescued six members of a media crew who were abducted in the southeast while en route to cover the Africa Cup of Nations qualifier between Nigeria and Libya in Akwa Ibom state.
The southeast region of Nigeria has been plagued by violence, with authorities attributing much of the unrest to a separatist movement advocating for the secession of an area predominantly inhabited by the Igbo ethnic group.
According to Tochukwu Ikenga, spokesperson for the Anambra State police, the crew, working for South African broadcaster Supersport, was kidnapped by armed men on Wednesday while traveling through Anambra state, a known hotspot for separatist activity.
The team had been traveling from Lagos when the incident occurred.
“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,” Ikenga confirmed.
He also mentioned that efforts were still underway to rescue a seventh crew member.
Supersport has yet to comment on the situation. Armed groups in southeastern Nigeria frequently target security personnel and government officials in the region.
