NUJ shocked over abduction of Blueprint, Nation correspondents, family members

The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), has condemned the abduction of its members on Saturday in Kaduna.

Recall that gunmen suspected to be terrorists abducted the correspondents of Blueprint Newspapers, AbdulRaheem Aodu, and Nation Newspapers, AbdulGafar Alabelewe, along with their family members late Saturday night, July 6, 2024 at Millennium City, Igabi local government area of Kaduna.

While condemning the abduction in a joint statement issued by the Councilโ€™s Chairman Asmaโ€™u Halilu and the Secretary of the Kaduna chapter, Gambo Sanga, issued on Sunday.

The statement said, โ€œNUJ has received with shock, the brazen and barbaric attack by suspected kidnappers.

โ€The attack resulted in the abduction of the Kaduna State Correspondents of The Nation Newspaper and the BluePrint Newspaper, alongside their families last night at their residences in Danhono area, a Kaduna suburb, in Chikun LGA.

โ€œWe strongly condemn the ugly incident and appeal to the security agencies in the state to swing into action with a view to rescuing the journalists and their families from the kidnappersโ€™ den.โ€

The statement expressed dismay over the unfortunate abduction of the innocent journalists alongside their wives and children.

It added, โ€œWe implore the government at all levels to intensify efforts towards guaranteeing the security of lives and property of the citizens at all times.

โ€The ugly phenomenon of kidnapping in Kaduna and environs is now resurfacing and must be checked to avert the experiences of the recent past.

โ€œThe Kaduna State Council of NUJ, however, enjoined all practicing journalists in the state to be vigilant in their daily activities while also praying for the safe return of their abducted colleagues and their families.โ€