Over 48 hours after two Kaduna journalists were kidnapped along with their families by gunmen, their whereabouts still remain unknown.
The gangsters reportedly invaded the Danhonu community in Millennium City in the Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State on Saturday and seized The Nation’s AbdulGafar Alabelewe and Blueprint’s AbdulRaheem Aodu alongside their wives and children from their homes.
A family member of one of the victims told our correspondent yesterday that their abductors had yet to establish any contact with any of the families since the incident. The source said: “This is a very trying time for us all. “These people have neither contacted the family of Abdulgafar nor that of Abdul.
“We do not know where they are. We don’t know their conditions. “This is very hard for us. We are just praying to Allah to protect them and soften the hearts of their abductors.
We are also seeking prayers from Nigerians for their safe return.” Meanwhile, the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) and Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYCF) condemned the abduction of the journalists and demanded their immediate release.
In a statement by the Director of Publicity and Advocacy Abdul-Azeez Suleiman, the NEF said: “The continued targeted kidnappings of journalists, such as the harrowing abduction of Alhaji Abdulgafar Alabelewe of The Nation, his wife, two children, and Alhaji Abdulraheem Aodu of Blueprint Newspaper, are not only disheartening but also deeply worrisome.
“This trend poses a significant threat to the safety of journalists and their families, and could potentially escalate into greater conflict and confusion if left unaddressed.” The AYCF PresidentGeneral, Yerima Shettima, described the development as “disheartening and worrisome”.
The group asked law enforcement agencies to ensure the safe release of the journalists. Meanwhile, police spokesman, ASP Mansir Hassan, said they are doing their best to secure the release of the victims unharmed.
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