Vanguard’s columnist, Dornu Kogbara, who was kidnapped on August 30, has regained her freedom.

Kogbara, an Ogoni, was released at 10 pm last Friday but returned to her Nkpogu-Port Harcourt residence around 2 am on Saturday.

The new Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Musa Kimo, visited her at 4:30 am at her residence.

The Rivers Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Muhammad Ahmad, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), confirmed Kogbara’s release in a phone interview.

He said the renowned columnist was in a stable condition and unhurt and could not confirm if ransom was paid before she regained her freedom.

Ahmad also refused to give details of her release from the kidnappers’ den.

The released columnist spoke briefly with reporters yesterday morning.

She was very angry with Niger Delta youths, who she alleged kidnapped her despite fighting their cause.

Kogbara stated the kidnappers told her Niger Delta youths had been abandoned and therefore, abducted her to take their share of looted funds.

Unknown to them, however, she said she was just a columnist and not a looter.

The kidnappers, who wore police uniforms, seized Kogbara on August 30 when they stormed her Nkpogu-Port Harcourt residence in a CRV car, amid gunshots.

They quickly disappeared with the columnist whose whereabouts remained unknown for almost two weeks.

The Rivers chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) described the release of the “easy-going and peace-loving” columnist as a welcome development.

In a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Chris Finebone, the party said: “APC will like to thank the Almighty God for Kogbara’s safe return to her loved ones.”