Gunmen kidnap 2 journalists, families in Kaduna, NUJ condemns abduction
By HARUNA AHMED, Kaduna –
Gunmen have kidnapped two journalists and their families in Kaduna State on Saturday night.
The victims were identified as Abdulgafar Alabelewe, Chairman of the Correspondents’ Chapel, Kaduna State NUJ Council, and his three family members, and Abdulraheem Aodo, a correspondent for Blueprint Newspaper, and his wife.
It was learnt that the kidnapping incident occurred at about 10:30 pm in Danhono 2, Millennium City, Kaduna.
The gunmen stormed the residences of the journalists and took them away, leaving their families and colleagues in a state of shock and fear.
The Kaduna State Police Command confirmed the incident and said they were working tirelessly to secure the release of the victims. According to the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Mansir Hassan, operatives have been deployed to the bush where the kidnappers are suspected to be hiding.
NUJ condemns abduction of Kaduna journalists, families, calls for their immediate release
Meanwhile, the Kaduna State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), has condemned the abduction of its members on Saturday at about 10:30 pm in Kaduna.
The condemnation is contained in a joint statement issued by the Council’s Chairman Asma’u Halilu and the Secretary, Gambo Sanga, issued in Kaduna on Sunday.
The statement said, “NUJ has received with shock, the brazen and barbaric attack by suspected kidnappers.
”The attack resulted in the abduction of the Kaduna State Correspondents of The Nation Newspaper and the Blue Newspaper, alongside their families last night at their residences in Danhono area, a Kaduna suburb, in Chikun LGA.
“We strongly condemn the ugly incident and appeal to the security agencies in the state to swing into action with a view to rescuing the journalists and their families from the kidnappers’ den.”
The statement expressed dismay over the unfortunate abduction of the innocent journalists alongside their wives and children.
It added, “We implore the government at all levels to intensify efforts towards guaranteeing the security of lives and property of the citizens at all times.
”The ugly phenomenon of kidnapping in Kaduna and environs is now resurfacing and must be checked to avert the experiences of the recent past.
“The Kaduna State Council of NUJ, however, enjoined all practicing journalists in the state to be vigilant in their daily activities while also praying for the safe return of their abducted colleagues and their families.”