Our freedom gives us hope in govt efforts to tackle security challenges — Freed Kaduna journalists

The freed Kaduna journalists have insisted that the speed at which they were rescued by the security agencies has given them hope that government can tackle the insecurity bedeviling the nation.

This was even as they maintained that they never expected that they would be rescued in seven days.

The assertion was made by Abdulgafar Alabelewe of the Nation newspaper who spoke on behalf of the kidnapped victims during a visit to the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Muhammad Idris.

Recall, two journalists, Abdulgafar Alabelewe of the Nation newspaper alongside his wife and two children, and Abdulraheem Aodu of the Blueprint were kidnapped last week Saturday in their residences in Danhono area of Kaduna metropolis.

Alabelewe 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,” he said.

Earlier, while receiving the two journalists, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Muhammad Idris noted; “We are most grateful for what you have done(NSA). 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.

The National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu when handing over the journalists said the five victims were rescued following combined effort of security agencies which led to swift search and rescue operation.