Kidnapped journalists regain freedom

After being held captive for seven days, the two journalists and their family members who were kidnapped in Kaduna State were released by their captors on Saturday.

According to report, a group of bandits released two journalists, Abdulgafar Alabelewe of The Nation and AbdulRaheem Aodu of Blueprint newspaper, along with their wives and children, on Saturday night.

On the evening of the incident, a large contingent of bandits, estimated to be in the dozens, invaded the peaceful Dahono Community in the Millennium City area of Chikun Local Government Area, Kaduna State, at approximately 10:30 pm.

Alabelewe is also the current chairman of the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Kaduna State Council.

Announcing their release, the Chairperson of the Kaduna Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Asma’u Yawo-Halilu, said the two journalists and their families have been released.

Yawo-Halilu extended his appreciation to a range of stakeholders, including the National Security Adviser, the DSS Director-General, the Inspector-General of Police, the Kaduna State Government, and the NUJ President, for their contributions to the successful rescue operation.

She said, “Dear esteemed colleagues to the glory of God Almighty, our colleagues, Abdulgafar Alabelewe, Abduraheem Aodu, and their families have been released.

“The Council extends her profound gratitude to the office of the CP, Kaduna State Command, office of the NSA, the DG, DSS, the Inspector General of Police, Kaduna State government, the NUJ President and all well-meaning Nigerians that prayed along with us during the trying time.

“We will soon announce when they will join us in Kaduna so that we could visit, rejoice and glorify God with them.”

Although our correspondent could not verify if a ransom was paid, it was gathered that the two journalists and their family members were rescued in a location close to Abuja.

A source, who confided with our correspondent, said, “They were rescued by security operatives this afternoon and close to Abuja.

“They are being taken to Abuja for debriefing and seek medical attention before they would be possibly reunited with their families.”