Bandits Kidnap Journalists and Their Families in Kaduna

In a recent attack, bandits have abducted two journalists and their family members in Kaduna State.

The assailants invaded Danhonu 2 community in Millennium City, Chikun Local Government Area, targeting the homes of AbdulGafar Alabelewe of The Nation newspaper and AbdulRaheem Aodu of the Blueprint Newspaper. The victims, along with their wives and children, were taken during the raid.

AbdulGafar Alabelewe also serves as the current Chairman of the Correspondents Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Kaduna State Council.

Taofeeq Olayemi, a relative of one of the victims, confirmed the incident. He reported that the bandits arrived at around 10:30 pm, firing shots before carrying out the abductions. Olayemi detailed that AbdulGafar, his wife, and two of his children were kidnapped, while Aodu and his wife were also taken, leaving behind their ill daughter.

Initially, the bandits had seized AbdulGafar, his wife, three children, and a girl living with them, but later released the girl and one child, keeping AbdulGafar, his wife, and two children captive.

Olayemi, who lives near the victims’ residences, also mentioned that AbdulRaheem Aodu’s wife managed to escape from the kidnappers.

The Kaduna State Police Command has confirmed the abduction and stated that officers are actively searching the area to rescue the victims and apprehend the perpetrators.