Northern Elders Forum (NEF) and the Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYCF) have condemned the recent kidnapping of journalists along with their family members, labelling the “acts as heinous and unacceptable.”
The groups expressed deep concern over the increasing incidents of kidnappings targeting members of the media, emphasizing the urgent need for decisive action to ensure the immediate rescue of all individuals currently held captive.
The director of publicity and advocacy for NEF, Abdul-Azeez Suleiman and the president-general of the AYCF, Alhaji Yerima Shettima, said the continued targeted kidnappings of journalists, such as the harrowing abduction of Alhaji Abdulgafar Alabelewe of The Nation Newspaper, his wife, two children, and Alhaji Abdulraheem Aodu of Blueprint Newspaper, are not only disheartening but also deeply worrisome.
They both stated in their separate statements that this trend poses a significant threat to the safety of journalists and their families and could potentially escalate into greater conflict and confusion if left unaddressed.
The NEF, on its part, emphasized that the lives of journalists and their families should never be endangered, calling on the government to take immediate and effective steps to secure their safe release. This sentiment aligns with the concerns expressed by the Nigeria Union of Journalists and media professionals nationwide.
“The kidnapping of Alhaji Abdulgafar Alabelewe, Alhaji Abdulraheem Aodu, and their family members is a shocking and unacceptable act that demands immediate action,” the statement read.
“We urge the government to act swiftly to ensure their release, alive and unhurt.”
In addition to calling for government intervention, the NEF has extended its support to the Nigeria Union of Journalists, sharing in their anxiety and concerns over the safety of their colleagues.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the abducted journalists and their families during this distressing time,” said Suleiman. “We urge all Nigerians to join us in praying for the safe return of the captives.”
The Northern Elders Forum remains steadfast in its commitment to protecting journalists and the freedom of the press, urging enhanced security measures to prevent such incidents in the future.
Also, the president-general of AYCF said, “Journalists shouldn’t be the target of kidnap because they are a very key sector of the society providing needed information for growth and development of the society”.
He also appealed to government and security agencies to intensify efforts to see to their safe release and ensure an end is put to this kind of brutal incidence.
“ I also call for prayers for their safe release and for them to be reunited with their families, and also quick recovery for the wife of Abdulraheem who was initially kidnapped and dumped in the bush.”