From Noah Ebije, Kaduna
The leadership of the Arewa Think Tank (ATT) has expressed empathy with the Kaduna State Council of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) over the abduction its two members alongside their family members last weekend.
The Chief Convener, Muhammad Alhaji Yakubu, in a statement yesterday condemned the incident, and called on the security agencies to step up their efforts for immediate release of the victims.
“We heard about the news of the abduction of Alhaji Abdulgafar Alabelewe of The Nations newspaper, his wife and two children, alongside Alhaji Abdulraheem Aodu of Blueprint newspaper with shock and sadness.
“We are, therefore, calling on relevant government authorities and security agencies to swing into serious action and ensure their safe release.
“We are also calling on spirited individuals to intensify prayers for their safe release and return.
“Arewa Think Tank has good working relationships with Kaduna journalists and across the country, but an injury to one is an injury to all.
“In as much as we kick against anybody falling victim of kidnapping, we also believe that 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.
“Arewa Think Tank shares in the present trauma the members of the NUJ are passing through now because of their colleagues in captivity, so we urge them to remain calm, continue to pray with the assurance that they will be released soon, as security agencies are believed to be on top of the situation.
“Once again, we wish to appeal to the government and the security agencies to intensify efforts to see to their safe release, and ensure an end is put to this kind of barbaric incidence in the country,” the statement said