NPAN demands urgent action from Nigerian govt over abducted Kaduna journalists, families

The Newspaper Proprietors’ Association of Nigeria (NPAN) has called on the Federal Government to take immediate action to secure the release of two Kaduna-based journalists and their families who were abducted over the weekend.

According to NPAN, Abdulgafar Alabelewe and AbdulRaheem Aodu, journalists working in Kaduna, were abducted alongside their families by bandits in a late-night raid on their homes. While details remain unclear, one family member reported the attackers to be heavily armed and shooting indiscriminately.

In a statement released on Wednesday, NPAN President Kabiru Yusuf described the abduction as a “condemnable event” and called on the government to “deploy all necessary security assets at its disposal” to ensure the safe return of the journalists and their families.

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.

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“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.”

The abduction has raised concerns about the safety of journalists operating in Nigeria, particularly in areas with high levels of banditry and violence. NPAN’s statement emphasizes the chilling effect such incidents can have on press freedom and the vital role journalists play in society.

NPAN’s demand for swift government action reflects the urgency of the situation. The families of the abducted individuals are undoubtedly facing immense distress, and time is critical to securing their safe release.

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