Gunmen Abduct Two Nigerian Journalists, Family Members

Armed individuals kidnapped two journalists, AbdulGafar Alabelewe and Abdulraheem Aodu, along with their family members in separate incidents on Saturday night in the Danhono 2 community, Millennium City, Kaduna. Mr. Alabelewe, a correspondent for The Nation Newspaper and Chairman of the Correspondents Chapel in Kaduna, was taken along with three family members. In the same community, Mr. Aodu, a correspondent for Blueprint Newspaper, was kidnapped alongside his wife.

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The Kaduna State Police Command confirmed the abductions and assured that efforts are underway to locate and rescue the victims. The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Kaduna State condemned the abduction as barbaric and urged security agencies to swiftly intervene to rescue the journalists and their families. The NUJ also called on the government to intensify efforts to ensure the security of citizens’ lives and property, stressing the need to address the resurgence of kidnapping incidents in Kaduna to prevent a repeat of past tragedies.

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The union urged journalists across the state to remain vigilant and cautious in their daily activities, and expressed heartfelt prayers for the safe return of their abducted colleagues and families. No group has claimed responsibility for the abductions, which are believed to be related to kidnapping for ransom, a common crime in many parts of Kaduna and Nigeria, often carried out by armed groups, including those locally referred to as bandits.”