The International Press Centre (IPC) has called for the immediate release of two journalists recently kidnapped in Kaduna State.
The appeal was made on Monday by the IPC Centre for the Safety and Protection of Journalists (I-CSPJ), urging a concerted effort to secure the journalists’ release.
The kidnapped journalists are Alhaji AbdulGafar Alabelewe, Chairman of the University Correspondents Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Kaduna State Council, and AbdulRaheem Aodu, a reporter for Blueprint Newspapers. They were abducted along with their wives and children on Saturday, July 6, 2024, at their residence in Danhonu community, Millennium City, Chikun LGA, Kaduna State.
Expressing concern over the incident, IPC Executive Director Lanre Arogundade emphasized the urgent need to address the high level of insecurity in the country.
“It is very disturbing that journalists and media practitioners have also become easy targets,” Arogundade stated.
In a statement signed by IPC Press Freedom Officer Melody Akinjiyan, Arogundade urged the Kaduna State Government and relevant security agencies to ensure the journalists are released unharmed.
He also called on national, regional, and international media freedom groups, freedom of expression organizations, and human rights bodies to join the call for their release and safety.
