Armed bandits have kidnapped two journalists along with their families in Kaduna State.
The attack occurred in Danhonu community, Millennium City, Chikun Local Government Area.
The victims include Alhaji AbdulGafar Alabelewe of The Nation newspaper, who also serves as the chairman of the Correspondents Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Kaduna State Council, and AbdulRaheem Aodu of Blueprint Newspaper. Both journalists, along with their wives and children, were taken during the raid.
Advertorial
Taofeeq Olayemi, a family member of one of the abductees, recounted the harrowing events.
According to Olayemi, the bandits invaded the community around 10:30 pm on Saturday, firing shots indiscriminately before breaking into the homes of the journalists.
“Alhaji Abdulgafar, his wife, and three children were initially taken, but the bandits later released one child and a girl staying with them. They left with Abdulgafar, his wife, and two children,” Olayemi explained. The bandits reportedly broke down doors and windows, removing security barriers to gain access.
Advertorial
In a similar fashion, the attackers forced their way into Aodu’s home, seizing him and his wife while leaving their sick daughter behind.
“They burst open Aodu’s door, took him and his wife, and then moved to Abdulgafar’s house by scaling the fence and entering directly into his bedroom,” Olayemi added.
The community’s vigilantes arrived shortly after the bandits had left, firing shots into the air in a belated response.
Advertorial
Attempts to contact the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in Kaduna, ASP Mansir Hassan, were unsuccessful as his phone was unreachable at the time of this report.
