Abia State government has said that it would ensure the early release of the Nation newspaper correspondent in Umuahia, Mr. Ugochukwu Ugorji Eke, who was abducted by hoodlums at his Ogbor Hill, Aba residence at about 7.30 pm on Sunday.

Briefing newsmen at the Government House on the matter, the Commissioner for Petroleum and alternate Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Chief Don Ubani, wondered why Mr.Ugorji-Eke will be the target of the kidnapping being merely a journalist who does not constitute a threat to anyone and of the middle class.

He disclosed that the state government has risen to the occasion and made necessary contacts with the various security agencies in the state with a view to securing his release and expressed optimism that he will soon regain his freedom.

Chief Ubani who further stated that government has made reasonable contact with the family of the victim used the medium to warn hoodlums in the state that government is on top of the security situation and would deal mercilessly with anyone who attempts to dear it.

Speaking on the same issue, the Chief Press Secretary to Abia State Governor, Mr. Charles Ajunwa, revealed that the kidnappers dragged the journalist out of his car by 7.30 pm last night at his residence at Aba and are demanding N20m ransome for his release.