By Chidi Nkwopara, OWERRI.
The Imo State correspondent of Channels Television, Mr. Tope Kutiyi, who was kidnapped in the early hours of last Monday, was yesterday released unharmed by his captors.

Vanguard gathered that soon after the hoodlums made the initial contact with their captor’s relations and made a N15 million demand, the security agencies technically located their location and quickly moved into action.

Confirming this development to Vanguard in a telephone interview, the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Mr. Andrew Enwerem, said that Commissioner of Police, CP, Mr. Taiwo Lakanu, personally led to operation for the journalist’s rescue.

“The CP mobilized and personally commanded a 100-man squad for the rescue operation. The operation took them into the huge forest at Ohoba in Ohaji/Egbema local government area of the state”, the PPRO recounted.

Continuing, the PPRO said as the police moved closer to the hoodlums, they moved their captor further into the forest, adding that when it was clear that they had lost out in their damnable crusade, they released the journalist via another end of the forest unhurt.

Vanguard gathered that apart from kidnapping Kutiyi, the hoodlums numbering about seven, also removed and shared the Correspondent’s work implements, including but not limited to his laptop and telephone handset.

Meanwhile, the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Chief Acho Ihim, and Governor Rochas Okorocha have reacted to Kutiyi’s release.
The duo commended the security agencies for their spirited effort in effecting the release of the Channels Television reporter.

“I must commend the security agencies for acting swiftly and decisively, soon after the reporter’s kidnap became public knowledge. Honestly, I am happy about the outcome of their swift operation”, Ihim said.

In his own reaction, Governor Okorocha said that his administration would sustain the battle against crime and criminals in the state.
“The state government would sustain the war against kidnapping a d other heinous crimes in ten state, to ensure that the peace and security Imo people have been enjoying under my administration would not be tampered with”, the Governor said.