The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, expressed his satisfaction at the release of AbdulGafar Alabelewe and AbdulRaheem Aodu, two journalists based in Kaduna, who were abducted from their homes on the outskirts of Kaduna last weekend.
The journalists, along with Alabelewe’s wife and two children, were set free.
In a statement, the minister’s Special Assistant on Media, Rabiu Ibrahim, disclosed that Alabelewe from The Nation newspapers and Aodu from Blueprint newspapers were handed over to Idris by the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.
The minister praised the NSA and security forces for swiftly rescuing the victims.
“We appreciate your efforts. We know this is part of your ongoing commitment to ensuring the safe return of all kidnapped victims to their families.
“I call on Nigerians to trust in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration and our security agencies.
“Under the NSA’s leadership, our security agencies are tirelessly working to secure the release of all hostages without ransom,” he stated.
He also extended sympathy to the families of the two journalists for their distressing experience.
In his remarks, the NSA credited the joint efforts of security agencies for the successful rescue operation that led to the liberation of the five hostages.
In response, one of the freed captives, Alabelewe, expressed gratitude to the NSA and his team for their prompt action.
“The operation that brought us out of captivity yesterday renewed our hope in our country and reassured us that the government is committed to tackling the kidnapping issue. I never imagined we would regain our freedom within a week of being taken.
“We are thankful for the swift government response that ensured our release,” he said.
