Bandits abduct two journalists, their wives and children in Kaduna

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

The armed assailants stormed the Danhonu community in Millennium City, located in the Chikun local government area. They targeted the homes of Alhaji AbdulGafar Alabelewe of The Nation Newspaper and AbdulRaheem Aodu of Blueprint Newspaper.

Alhaji Alabelewe, who also serves as the current chairman of the Correspondents Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Kaduna State Council, was abducted alongside his wife and two of his children. AbdulRaheem Aodu and his wife were also kidnapped, though their sick daughter was left behind.

Taofeeq Olayemi, a family member of one of the victims, confirmed the incident. He reported that the bandits invaded the community at approximately 10:30 PM on Saturday, opening fire indiscriminately before carrying out the kidnappings.

“Initially, they took Alhaji AbdulGafar, his wife, three of his children, and a girl staying with them. However, they later allowed the girl and one child to return, leaving with AbdulGafar, his wife, and two of their children,” Olayemi said.  “They shattered doors and windows, removing security bars after scaling the fence.”

Olayemi, who lives close to the victims’ houses, added, “The bandits burst open Aodu’s door first, abducting him and his wife while leaving their sick daughter behind. They then entered AbdulGafar’s house by jumping over the fence, went straight to his bedroom, and took him, his wife, and two of their kids. The bandits left immediately, and only then did the vigilantes arrive and begin shooting into the air.”

The incident has sent shockwaves through the community, highlighting the ongoing security challenges in the region.