Kidnapped journalists freed, taken to Abuja

Bandits have freed the two abducted journalists and family members in Kaduna State, on Saturday, after spending seven days in captivity.

Sunday According reports that two journalists – The Nation’s Abdulgafar Alabelewe and his Blueprint newspaper’s counterpart, AbdulRaheem Aodu, and their wives as well as children were released on Saturday night by some bandits.

The bandits had in large numbers invaded their Dahono Community in the Millennium City axis of Chikun Local Government Area of the state around 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 thanked the National Security Adviser, Director-General of the Department of State Services, Inspector-General of Police, Kaduna State Government as well as the NUJ National President.

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.”

Meanwhile, our correspondent could not ascertain whether or not a ransom was paid but gathered that the two journalists and their family members were rescued 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.”