*NUJ condemns dastardly act
From Femi Mustapha, in Kaduna
Armed men stormed the Danhonu community in Millennium City of Chikun local government area of Kaduna and raided the houses of the reporters of The Nation newspaper, Alhaji AbdulGafar Alabelewe, and that of Blueprint Newspaper, AbdulRaheem Aodu, their wives and children.
Alhaji Alabelewe is also the current chairman of the correspondents chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Kaduna State Council.
A family member of one of the victims Taofeeq Olayemi, who confirmed the incident, said the bandits stormed the community at about 10:30 pm on Saturday and started shooting sporadically before carrying out their action.
He said they kidnapped Alhaji Alabelewe, his wife, and two of his children, while Alhaji Aodu and his wife were kidnapped, leaving behind their sick daughter.
“Initially, they picked Alhaji Abdulgafar, his wife and three of his children, and a girl staying with them before asking the girl to return with one of the children, leaving with Abdulgafar, his wife and two children.”
“They shattered their doors and windows and removed their burglary after scaling the fence.”
Olayemi, a family member of Mr. Aodu, who lives close to the victims’ houses said,” They came around 10:30 pm on Saturday and started shooting sporadically. They first burst Aodu’s door open picked him and his wife and left their sick daughter behind.
“Then, they entered Abdulgafar’s house through the fence and jumped into his house. They went straight into his bedroom and picked him, his wife, and two of their kids. They left immediately, after which the vigilantes arrived and started shooting into the air.”
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in Kaduna, ASP Mansir Hassan could not be reached for a reaction as his phone was not connecting at the time of filing this report.
Meanwhile, the Kaduna State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) condemned the kidnapping of the two Journalists and their families.
In a statement signed by
Comrade Asmau Yawo Halilu and Comrade Gambo Santos Sanga, Chairman and Secretary respectively of the Council appeal to security agencies in the state to swing into action to rescue the Journalists and their families from the kidnappers.
The statement expresses dismay over the unfortunate abduction of innocent Journalists alongside their wives and children however, implores the 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 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.
