Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have abducted two journalists in the Danhonu community, Millennium City, located in the Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
The victims, Abdulgafar Alabelewe of The Nation Newspaper and AbdulRaheem Aodu of Blueprint Newspaper, were kidnapped from their homes on Saturday night along with their wives and children.
Alabelewe currently serves as the chairman of the Correspondents Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Kaduna State Council.
A family member informed Channels Television that the gunmen attacked the Danhonu community around 10:30 pm, specifically targeting the homes of the two journalists, who live near each other.
The attackers fired sporadically before breaking into the compounds and abducting the victims.
It was reported that the bandits later released the wife of the Blueprint reporter due to her illness.
Meanwhile, the Kaduna State Police Command has confirmed the abduction, stating that security operatives are actively pursuing the kidnappers to arrest them and safely rescue the victims.
The Nigeria Union of Journalists in Kaduna State has also condemned the abduction of the two journalists and their family members, describing it as barbaric.
In a statement jointly signed by Asmara Halilu and Gambo Santos, the NUJ appealed to security agencies in the state to take immediate action to rescue the journalists and their families from the kidnappers.
The statement expressed dismay over the unfortunate abduction of the innocent journalists, their wives, and children. It urged the government at all levels to intensify efforts to ensure the security of lives and property for all citizens.
The statement emphasized that the resurgence of kidnappings in Kaduna and its environs must be addressed to prevent a recurrence of past incidents.
It also urged all practicing journalists in the state to remain vigilant in their daily activities and prayed for the safe return of their abducted colleagues and their families.