The Newspaper Proprietors’ Association of Nigeria has charged the Federal Government to ensure the rescue of two Kaduna-based journalists, Abdulgafar Alabelewe and AbdulRaheem Aodu, who were abducted alongside their families by bandits at the weekend.

Alabelewe of The Nation newspapers and Aodu of Blueprint newspapers were kidnapped from their homes in Dahjonu Community, Millennium City area of the Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

The incident was confirmed by one of the victims’ family members, Taofeeq Olayemi, who disclosed that bandits invaded the community around 10:30 p.m. and carried out their operation after shooting indiscriminately.

It was reported that Abdulraheem’s wife was abandoned in the bush by the bandits because of her health condition.

The NPAN President, Kabiru Yusuf, expressed the association’s concern over the unfortunate incident in a statement on Tuesday as he appealed to the Federal Government to facilitate the rescue of these victims.

Yusuf said, “The Newspaper Proprietors’ Association of Nigeria is concerned over the safety of Messers Abdulgafar Alabelewe and Mr. AbdulRaheem Abdu, the Kaduna state’s correspondents of The Nation and Blueprint newspapers, respectively, who were abducted last weekend.

“More worrying is the prolonged silence from their abductors, who seized the journalists along with members of their families, including wives and children. The trauma induced on both their biological and professional families by this condemnable event, is better imagined.

“We call on the Federal Government to ensure the safe return of the journalists and their families, by deploying all the necessary security assets at its disposal.”

Yusuf also pleaded with the abductors to ensure the victims were not hurt and returned home safely.

He also sympathised with the families of the journalists as he wished for their safe return.

PUNCH