NUJ condemns abduction of Kaduna journalists, families
Story from Idris Umar, Zaria
The Kaduna State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has condemned the recent abduction of its members in the state. This condemnation was made in a statement issued on Sunday by the council’s Chairman, Asma’u Halilu, and the Secretary, Gambo Sanga.
The incident occurred on Saturday night when bandits invaded the Dahjonu community in Millennium City, Chikun Local Government Area, Kaduna State, and abducted two journalists.
The kidnapped journalists are Abdulgafar Alabelewe of The Nation and AbdulRaheem Abdu of Blueprint newspaper, along with their wives and children.
Abdulgafar Alabelewe also serves as the current chairman of the Correspondents’ Chapel of the NUJ Kaduna State Council.
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In the statement, the NUJ described the abduction as unfortunate and called on security agencies to rescue the captives swiftly. “NUJ has received with shock, the brazen and barbaric attack by suspected kidnappers,” the statement read.
“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 council also urged both the federal and state governments to prioritize the security of lives and property of citizens and advised journalists in the state to be vigilant.
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“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 its 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,” the statement added.
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