Abdulgafar Alabelewe of The Nation newspaper and Abdulraheem Aodu of Blueprint newspaper, along with their family members, have regained their freedom after being abducted by suspected bandits.
The Kaduna State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) announced their release in a terse statement on Saturday evening.
The journalists and their families were kidnapped from their homes in the Danhono Community near Millennium City, Kaduna, last Saturday. One of the wives was abandoned by the terrorists in the bush due to illness and managed to return home on Sunday morning.
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The NUJ statement reads: “Dear esteemed colleagues, to the glory of God Almighty, our colleagues, Abdulgafar Alabelewe, Abduraheem Aodu, and their families have been released.
The Council extends its profound gratitude to the office of the CP, Kaduna State Command, the office of the NSA, the DG, DSS, the Inspector General of Police, the Kaduna State government, the NUJ President, and all the well-meaning Nigerians that prayed along with us during this trying time.
We will soon announce when they will join us in Kaduna so that we can visit, rejoice, and glorify God with them.”Kaduna Council Chairman Asma’u Yawo Halilu expressed relief and gratitude for the efforts and prayers that led to their release.
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The police have yet to issue an official statement regarding their release. However, it remains unclear whether a ransom was paid.
According to sources, the journalists and their families were rescued close to Abuja on Saturday. A source who spoke on condition of anonymity said, “They were rescued by security operatives this afternoon close to Abuja.
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They are being taken to Abuja for debriefing and medical attention before they are possibly reunited with their families.”
The incident has raised concerns about the safety of journalists and their families in the region, prompting calls for enhanced security measures to protect media practitioners.