By Dennis Naku
A Port Harcourt-based journalist, Mrs Priestba Wokocha, kidnapped by gunmen in the Rivers State capital has regained her freedom after spending seven days in captivity.
Wokocha is the Director of News at the Rivers State Broadcasting Corporation popularly known as Radio Rivers.
She was abducted near Golf Estate in Port Harcourt when her car broke down and she was trying to fix it while on her way home from work around 8pm last Thursday.
Her husband, Anthony, had while hosting members of the Nigerian Guild of Editors in Rivers State who paid him a sympathy visit last Saturday said the abductors contacted him and demanded N150m ransom.
It was learnt that the kidnappers later reduced the ransom to N10m before the news of her release broke on Thursday.
When contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed Wokocha’s release, saying she was rescued by operatives.
“Yes, I can confirm to you that she was released this (Thursday) morning after a hot chase by our men who rescued her.
“She has reunited with her family,” Iringe-Koko, a Superintendent of Police, said.
Asked if any ransom was paid before she was released, she said, “I am not aware.”
She added that though no arrest was made, operatives were still on the trail of the kidnappers to ensure their arrest and prosecution.