The Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYCF) has described as unacceptable the targeted kidnapping of two Kaduna journalists and some of their family members by terrorists, as they demand their release.

AYCF President General, Yerima Shettima, in a statement on Monday, condemned the kidnapping in the strongest terms and demanded their immediate release.

Some bandits on Saturday night invaded the Dahjonu community in Millennium City of Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State and abducted two journalists.

Shettima said that the news of the kidnapping of Abdulgafar Alabelewe of The Nation newspaper, his wife, and two children, alongside Alhaji Abdulraheem Aodu, is very disheartening and worrisome.

He called on relevant government authorities and security agencies to take serious action and ensure their safe release.

Shettima also called for spirited efforts to intensify prayers for their safe release.

“Journalists shouldn’t be targets of kidnapping because they are a very key sector of the society providing needed information for the growth and development of the society,” Shettima said.

“I wish to appeal to the government and security agencies to intensify efforts to see to their safe release and ensure an end is put to this kind of barbaric incidence.”

“I also call for prayers for their safe release and for them to be reunited with their families, and also for a quick recovery for the wife of Abdulraheem who was initially kidnapped and dumped in the bush due to her health condition.

He said he shared in the present trauma the members of the pen profession are passing through now because of their colleagues in captivity and further urged them to continue to pray with the assurance that they will be released soon.

Meanwhile, Kaduna State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists has condemned the abduction of its members in the state.

The condemnation is contained in a statement issued by the council’s Chairman, Asma’u Halilu, and the Secretary, Gambo Sanga, issued in Kaduna on Sunday.