The Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) has condemned the kidnapping of two of its members and their families by gunmen, as police assure the union of securing their release.
AbdulGafar Alabelewe, a correspondent of The Nation Newspaper and Abdulraheem Aodu of Blueprint Newspaper, and some members of their families were reportedly kidnapped on Sunday.
According to Premium Times, the journalists were kidnapped in the Danhono area, in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna, at about the same time at 10:30 pm.
Following the abduction, the NUJ condemned the incidents yet to be claimed by any terrorist group in the region.
In its reaction, the union released a statement through the state Chairman, Asma’u Halilu, and the Secretary, Gambo Sanga, stating that it “received with shock the brazen and brutal attack by suspected kidnappers.
We strongly condemn the ugly incident and appeal to the security agencies in the state to swing into action to rescue the journalists and their families from the kidnappers’ den,” the statement read.
In addition, “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 its 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 practising 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,” it said.
Meanwhile, the Kaduna police spokesperson, Mansir Hassan, said police operatives were trying to secure the victims’ release.
We have deployed our operatives into the bush where the kidnappers are suspected to be,” Hassan said.
Aside from the two journalists, he identified the victims as Mr Alabelewe, who is also the Chairman of Correspondents’ Chapel, Kaduna State NUJ Council, three of his family members and one Mr Aodo and his wife.
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