Bandits who abducted two Kaduna journalists and family members, on Saturday, set them free after spending seven days in captivity.
Media 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 last Saturday night abducted by some bandits.
The bandits had in large numbers invaded their Dahono Community in the Millennium City axis of Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna 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 family, have been released.
She 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 added that the members would be notified would two released journalists and their families would reunite with them in Kaduna
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 can 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 on Saturday.
A source who confided in our correspondent, said, “They were rescued by security operatives this afternoon and close to Abuja.
“They are being taken to Abuja for debriefing and medical attention before they would be possibly reunited with their families.”