Alhaji Mohammed Idris, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, has welcomed the release of two Kaduna-based journalists who were abducted from their homes last weekend.
Idris also commended the efforts of the National Security Adviser (NSA), Malam Nuhu Ribadu, for the speedy recovery of the victims.
The minister said this in a statement issued on Monday by his Media Aide, Malam Rabiu Ibrahim.
The two journalists – AbdulGafar Alabelewe of the Nation Newspapers and AbdulRaheem Aodu of Blueprint Newspapers were released alongside Mr Alabelewe’s wife and two children.
“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,” Idris said.
Speaking earlier, the NSA said the five victims were rescued following the combined effort of security agencies.
Responding, one of the rescued victims, Alabelewe, thanked the NSA and his team for the swift intervention.
“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.