The Kaduna State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), has vehemently 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 BluePrint 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.”
Police confirm kidnapping of 2 journalists
Meanwhile, the Police Command in Kaduna State on Sunday confirmed the kidnapping of two Journalists and their families in Kaduna at about 10:30pm on Saturday.
The command Public Relations Officer, Mansir Hassan, who confirmed the incident to the media, said its operatives were trying their best to secure their release.
He said: “We have deployed our operatives into the bush where the kidnappers are suspected to be.:
He identified the victims as Abdulgafar Alabelewe, Chairman, Correspondents’ Chapel, Kaduna State NUJ Council, and three of his family members who were kidnapped at Danhono 2, Millennium City, Kaduna.
Also taken was the Correspondent of Blueprint Newspaper, Abdulraheem Aodo, and his wife.
Alabelewe is also the Correspondent of the Nation Newspaper.
