. Abduct two journalists, wives, children, ex-NLC president in Kaduna
. Kidnap ‘juju’ priestess, 11 devotees in Delta
. NUJ condemns abduction of The Nation, Blueprint’s correspondents, family members
…seeks immediate rescue of victims
. We’re ransacking forests, bushes, we’ll ensure victims’ safe return – Police
Samuel Adesola, Abuja
Bandits and gunmen in Kaduna and Delta states at the weekend went on the rampage abducting innocent and defenceless Nigerians.
In Kaduna, Bandits on Saturday night abducted two journalists -The Nation’s Abdulgafar Alabelewe and Blueprint newspaper’s AbdulRaheem Abdu, their wives and children.
The bandits had invaded Dahjonu community in Millennium City of Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State, where the two journalists and their family members live, to kidnap them.
The Nation’s Alabelewe is also the current chairman of the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Kaduna State Council.
According to one of the victims’ family members, Taofeeq Olayemi, who confirmed the incident, the bandits invaded the community at about 10.30 pm and shot indiscriminately before seizing the victims.
He said the bandits first kidnapped Alabelewe, his wife, and two of his children, shortly after Aodu and his wife, who was also sick, were abducted by the same gang, leaving behind their sick daughter.
He said, “Initially, they picked Abdulgafar, his wife, and three of his children and a girl staying with them before asking the girl to return with one of the children and left with Abdulgafar, his wife, and two children.
“They shattered their doors and windows and removed their burglary after scaling the fence.”
Olayemi, who is also a neighbour to the victims, further said, “They came around 10:30 pm on Saturday and started shooting indiscriminately.
“They first forced Aodu’s door open and picked him and his wife and left their sick daughter behind.
“Then, they entered Abdulgafar’s house through the fence and jumped into his house.
“They went straight into his bedroom and picked him, his wife, and two of their kids and left immediately, after which the vigilantes arrived and started shooting into the air.”
State Police Public Relations Officer, Mansir Hassan, has said police operatives have been deployed in forests and bushes in the area to search for the victims.
He assured that they would be rescued safely.
*Ex-NLC President abducted in Kaduna*
Also, a former President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr Takai Shamang, was abducted in his hometown, Biniki in Kaura Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
Shamang, 78, was also a former President General of the National Union of Electricity and Gas Workers, now National Union of Electricity Employees, between 1982 and 1989.
Confirming the development to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), his daughter, Mrs Grace Abbin, said her 78-year-old father was abducted at his residence in Biniki, at about 8:00pm on Friday.
Shamang is the President and Founder of Gantys Aid for Widows, Orphans and Needy Foundation, popularly known as GAWON Foundation.
*Gunmen kidnap ‘juju’ priestess, 11 devotees in Delta*
Similarly in Delta, unknown gunmen on Saturday abducted a chief priestess simply identified as Mrs Kuku and 11 others in Egbo community, Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State.
It was learnt that the incident occurred at about 4: pm.
The priestess and her followers were said to be under the bridge between Egbo and Ekrokpe communities making sacrifices to her river goddess when the gunmen struck. They immediately abducted her and about five of her followers/worshippers.
But before the abduction of the priestess, five other persons had also been kidnapped by the gunmen who came in through the bush.
The gunmen, it was learnt, also escaped through the bush.
Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, said the matter has not been reported.
He promised to ascertain the incident.
