by fabulous reports
— Information Minister, Mohammed Idris Malagi
The Nation Newspaper, journalists, Abdulgafar Alabelewe one of the journalists who were rescued from terrorists den by Nigerian security operatives, yesterday, said he never thought he would breath the air of freedom within a week.
Recall that Alabelewe and Abdulraheem Aodu of the Blueprint Newspaper alongside their family members were abducted in their separate Kaduna homes last week.
Alabelewe in a statement by Rabiu Ibrahim, Special Assistant (Media) to the Minister of Information and National Orientation, thanked the National Security Adviser, NSA, Nuhu Ribadu and his team for their swift intervention.
He said: “The rescue mission, which brought us out of the bush yesterday gave us hope in our country and gave us confidence to believe that the government is serious about tackling this problem of kidnapping. I never thought that within a week of our kidnap, we could get out.
“We are grateful that the government swung into action and ensured that we were released.”
Earlier, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, welcomed the release of the two Kaduna-based journalists, who were abducted from their homes on the outskirts of Kaduna, weekend.
Speaking when he received the two journalists, Alabelewe and Aodu, from the NSA, Mallam Ribadu, the minister commended security agencies for the speedy rescue of the victims.
The two journalists were released along with Mr. Alabelewe’s wife and two children.
The minister, who expressed sympathy to the two families, told the NSA: “We are most grateful for what you have done. We are aware that this is part of your ongoing effort to ensure that all kidnapped victims are rescued alive and reunited with their families.”
“I want to urge Nigerians to keep faith with the current administration of President Bola Tinubu and our security agencies. The security agencies under the coordination of the NSA are working tirelessly to ensure that all those who have been taken into unlawful custody are freed without paying any ransom.”
Speaking earlier, the NSA said the five victims were rescued following combined effort of security agencies, which led to the search and rescue operation.
The journalists are expected to be reunited with their relatives and colleagues in Kaduna, soon.
