Journalist abducted en route to media fellowship in Kwara
A journalist from Abuja, Salis Manaja, was abducted by gunmen on Saturday, October 11, 2025, while en route to Ilorin, Kwara State, for the 2025 PRNigeria Young Communication Fellowship. Manaja, a multimedia journalist with Image Merchants Promotion Limited (IMPR), publishers of PRNigeria and Economic Confidential, had been traveling from Abakaliki when he lost contact with colleagues, raising concerns for his safety.
His colleagues reported that repeated attempts to reach him were unsuccessful, and his phone became unreachable. A fellow journalist, Abdulrasheed Kofa, appealed for prayers for Manaja’s safe return, describing him as a dedicated professional. Another associate, Nuhu Masa, confirmed the abduction, stating that all efforts to contact him had failed.
Subsequently, the abductors made contact with Manaja’s family, demanding a ransom for his release. However, the exact location of the kidnapping remains unconfirmed. The incident has drawn widespread condemnation, with calls for urgent action from security agencies to ensure his safe release. Human rights and anti-corruption activist Umar Umar described the abduction as “heartbreaking and unacceptable,” urging the federal government and security agencies to take decisive action to rescue the journalist.
The abduction of Salis Manaja underscores the escalating security challenges in Nigeria, particularly concerning the safety of journalists and media professionals. The incident has prompted renewed discussions on the need for enhanced protection measures for journalists operating in high-risk areas.
