The Federal Government has welcomed the release of two-Kaduna based journalists who were abducted from their homes in Kaduna last weekend.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris who received the two journalists, AbdulGafar Alabelewe of The Nation newspapers and AbdulRaheem Aodu of Blueprint newspapers, from the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, commended security agencies for the speedy rescue of the victims.
A statement on Sunday by the Special Assistant on Media to the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Rabiu Ibrahim said, the two journalists were released along with Mr Alabelewe’s wife and two children.
While expressing sympathy to the two families, the Minister saluted the commitment of the security agencies to fighting terrorism, banditry and kidnapping in the country.
“We are most grateful of 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 Ahmed 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,” he said.
Speaking earlier, the NSA said, the five victims were rescued following combined effort of security agencies which led to swift search and rescue operation.
Responding, one of the rescued victims, Mr Alabelewe thanked the NSA and his team for the swift intervention.
“The rescue mission which brough 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,” he said.
