 |
| Whereabouts of Kaduna Journalists and Family Unknown 48 Hours After Abduction |
Two days after the abduction of two journalists and their family members in Kaduna State, their whereabouts remain unknown.
Reports indicate that armed men stormed the Danhonu community in Millennium City, Chikun Local Government Area, Kaduna, and raided the homes of Alhaji AbdulGafar Alabelewe of The Nation newspaper and AbdulRaheem Aodu of Blueprint Newspaper. The attackers abducted the journalists, their wives, and children.
The bandits later released AbdulRaheem’s wife, who was recovering from an illness and could not keep up.
A family member, Taofeeq Olayemi, stated that no contact has been made with the families since the incident. “It is a very trying period for the family because we do not know the situation they are in and we do not know where they are. We are just praying to Allah to protect them and soften the hearts of their abductors,” he said.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in Kaduna, ASP Mansir Hassan, mentioned that efforts are being made to secure the victims' release unharmed. “We have deployed our operatives into the bush where the kidnappers are suspected to be in the area,” he said.
The Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Kaduna condemned the abduction in a statement signed by Chairman Comrade Asmau Yawo Halilu and Secretary Comrade Gambo Santos Sanga. They appealed to security agencies to take swift action to rescue the journalists and their families.
The Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYCF) also condemned the kidnapping. President General Alhaji Yerima Shettima called on government authorities and security agencies to intensify efforts for their safe release and to put an end to such incidents. Shettima urged individuals to pray for the safe return of the abducted persons.
