NUJ Kaduna Confirms Abduction Of Two Journalists, Families From Their Residences

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The Kaduna State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), on Sunday, July 7, 2024, announced the kidnap of two of its members and their families by bandits in the late hours of Saturday, July 6, 2024.

The NUJ in a statement by Hajiya Asmau Yawo Halilu and Gambo Santos Sanga, chairman and Secretary respectively said they received with shock, the brazen and barbaric attack by the suspected kidnappers that resulted to the abduction of the Kaduna Correspondents of The Nation and Blueprint Newspapers alongside members of their families last night from their residences in Danhono area of Kaduna metropolis.

The statement condemned the ugly incident and appealled to security agencies in the state to swing into action with a view to rescuing the journalists and their families from the kidnappers.

The Council leaders particularly expressed dismay over what they described as “the unfortunate abduction” of innocent Journalists alongside their wives and children. The NUJ, Kaduna Council implored government at all levels to intensify efforts towards guaranteeing the security of lives and property of the citizens at all times, stressing that the ugly phenomenon of kidnapping in Kaduna and its environs that has resurfaced, must be checked to avert the experiences of the recent past.

While praying for the safe return of their abducted colleagues and their families unhurt, the Kaduna State Council of NUJ enjoined all practicing Journalists in the state to remain vigilant in their daily activities.

Forefront News gathered that the armed bandits stormed Danhonu community situated in Millennium City in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna and raided the residences of the Journalists working with The Nation newspaper, Mr AbdulGafar Alabelewe, who is the Chairman of the Correspondents Chapel of the NUJ in Kaduna State, and his Blueprint newspaper counterpart, Mr. AbdulRaheem Aodu.

The bandits reportedly shattered the doors, windows as well as pulled down the burglary proofs of their houses after scaling their fence before leaving with the two journalists, their wives and children.

A source close to the family of one of the victims (names withheld) while confirming the incident, said the bandits stormed the community about 10:30pm on Saturday, July 6, 2024 and started shooting sporadically which scared away people thus, enabled them to carry out their action.

The source said that the deadly bandits thereafter abducted Mr Alabelewe, his wife and two of his children just as Mr Aodu and his wife were led away by the bandits leaving behind a daughter.

The source further said; “They initially picked Abdulgafar, his wife and three of his children and a girl staying with them but, later asked the girl to return with one of the children”.

Similarly, a family member of Mr. Aodu, who lives close to his house, said the kidnappers stormed the area at about 10:30pm on Saturday and after some sporadic shootings, they pulled down Aodu’s door and picked him and his wife leaving behind their sick daughter.

The source said that after a successful operation at Aodu’s residence, the bandits jumped into Abdulgafar’s house through the fence and went straight into his bedroom and picked him, his wife and two of their kids.

The bandits left before the local vigilantes could arrive the scene thus were unable to rescue the victims.

The Nigeria Police, Kaduna Command is yet to issue a statement on the kidnap.

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