PeakNews Online
Kaduna, Nigeria – A wave of fear has enveloped residents of Kaduna following a spike in kidnapping incidents, including the recent abductions of Mr. Takai Shamang, former president of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), and two journalists along with their families.
Mrs. Grace Abbin reported that her 78-year-old father, Mr. Takai Shamang, who also served as president general of the National Union of Electricity and Gas Workers (now National Union of Electricity Employees) from 1982 to 1989, was kidnapped from his home in Biniki, Kaura Local Government Area, around 8 pm on Friday. Shamang is also the founder of Gantys Aid for Widows, Orphans, and Needy Foundation (GAWON Foundation).
The Kaduna State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) condemned the abduction of its members in a statement issued by the council’s chairman, Asma’u Halilu, and Secretary, Gambo Sanga. The abductions occurred on Saturday around 10:30 pm in the Danhono area, a suburb of Kaduna, in Chikun Local Government Area.
“NUJ has received with shock the brazen and barbaric attack by suspected kidnappers, resulting in the abduction of the Kaduna State Correspondents of The Nation Newspaper and the Blue Newspaper, alongside their families last night at their residences in Danhono area,” the statement read. The NUJ urged security agencies to take immediate action to rescue the kidnapped journalists and their families.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar also expressed concern over the increasing kidnappings, describing them as a significant failure of leadership to protect citizens. In his statement, Atiku condemned the state of insecurity in the country and urged security agencies to expedite the release of those in captivity and enhance intelligence gathering efforts.
“In these perilous times, the courageous sentinels of truth, our journalists, stand as beacons of light, unwavering in their duty to hold power accountable. Yet, they find themselves besieged not only by the terror of abductors but also by a government that continues to assault their freedom through arrests and detention,” Atiku stated.
He highlighted other recent kidnappings, including that of Janet Galadima-Gimba, a Customary Court judge in Kaduna, whose sons remain in captivity with a ransom demand of N150 million, and Hauwa’u Adamu, the mother of popular Hausa singer Dauda Kahutu Rarara, who was kidnapped in Katsina.
Atiku emphasized the need for decisive action from security agencies and called for a focus on intelligence gathering to prevent further incidents. “These abductions are damning indictments of our leaders’ failure to secure the safety of citizens and an intolerable breach of press freedom,” he said.
The NUJ called on all levels of government to intensify efforts to ensure the security of lives and property and urged practicing journalists in Kaduna to remain vigilant. The union also prayed for the safe return of the abducted colleagues and their families.
