Unidentified gunmen shot Akogwu, 31, a reporter and camera operator with independent broadcaster Channels TV, as he interviewed witnesses of terrorist attacks in the city of Kano, local journalists told CPJ. Akogwu had just returned from a police news conference following coordinated bombings by the extremist Islamist group Boko Haram that left at least 178 people dead, according to news reports.
In a statement, Reuters Editor-in-Chief Stephen Adler said, "We are shocked and saddened at the death of Channels TV reporter Akogwu Enenche who has contributed footage to Reuters over the last few months."
Channels TV General Manager of Operations Kayode Akintemi described Akogwu as "a very hard-working journalist who traveled to some of the most dangerous places in northern Nigeria to get these stories," Leadership newspaper reported.