By Goodluck Ikiebe
Abdulgafar Alabelewe and Abduraheem Aodu, two journalists based in Kaduna, North Western Nigeria, and their families, who were kidnapped from their homes last week, have regained their freedom.
Alabelewe, who works for The Nation Newspapers, and Aodu, of the Blueprint Newspaper, were released along with their families.
The Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Kaduna State Council, Hajiya Asma’u Yawo Halilu, shared the news in a statement released on Saturday in kaduna
She expressed gratitude to everyone involved in securing their release.
Hajiya Halilu specifically thanked the Kaduna State Commissioner of Police, the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA), the Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS), the Inspector General of Police, the Kaduna State government, the NUJ President, and all Nigerians who prayed and supported the efforts during this challenging time.
The NUJ Chairperson said that the Council would soon announce when the released journalists would rejoin their colleagues in Kaduna, at which point people would be welcome to visit and celebrate their return.
The statement reads:
“To the glory of God Almighty, our colleagues Abdulgafar Alabelewe, Abduraheem Aodu, and their families have been released.
“The Council extends its profound gratitude to the Office of the CP, Kaduna State Command, the Office of the NSA, the DG, DSS, the Inspector General of Police, Kaduna State government, the NUJ President, and all well-meaning Nigerians who prayed with us during this trying time.
“We will soon announce when they will join us in Kaduna so that we can visit, rejoice, and glorify God with them.”
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
