Nigerians have expressed shock over the abduction of Toyin, the wife of the Deputy Managing Director of Sun Newspapers, Mr. Steve Nwosu. Mrs Nwosu was abducted by gunmen who broke into their home in the early hours of Monday, took away cash, laptops and sundry items before abducting her. The abductors have established contact with the family of Mr. Nwosu and have asked for a ransom of N100 million.

Meantime, outrage has greeted the cruel invasion and disruption of the peace of the family. Mr Garba Deen Mohammad, President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors described the incident as unfortunate with a plea to the abductors to set her free. He recalled that recently, a top columnist with Vanguard newspaper, Donu Kogbara, was kidnapped and later released, wondering if this was not emerging as a trend and siege to the media. He appealed to security personnel to do everything within their power to ensure the release of Mrs. Nwosu.

Another member of the Guild of Editors, Mr. Ebere Wabara, who himself had suffered similar ordeal of abduction in the hands of agents of former governor of Abia State, Theodore Orji, described the act as “cruel and wicked” and a pointer to rising insecurity in the land.

Also the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has condemned the action of the gunmen. PDP National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, on Monday, said the party was deeply saddened by the news of the abduction of Mrs. Toyin Nwosu, decrying it as a devilish and barbaric act.

The PDP said it is deeply worried by the recent spate of abductions in the country, adding that the perpetrators cannot justify their actions under any guise whatsoever.

The party said its thoughts and prayers go for the safe return of Mrs. Nwosu and other victims of this social vice. It also expressed confidence that the security forces would track down the abductors and expose those behind the crime.

“Finally, the PDP declares its support for each and every policy undertaken by the present Federal Government to limit to scourge of kidnapping and other criminal activities. We stand together with the government against all enemies perpetrating criminal acts against lives and property in our dear nation”, the party said.