By Funso Alarape
Thursday March 21, 2024
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The Nigeria Police Force has promised to unravel the whereabouts of the Editor of FirstNews, Segun Olatunji, who was abducted from his Lagos home last Friday by men on Nigerian Army uniforms.
The Force Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, gave the assurance while responding to enquiries on what the police is doing to secure his freedom.
He promised to reach out to the Army to first ascertain if Olatunji is in their custody since there are speculations suggesting that he was arrested by the Army.
Reacting to the development, the Publisher of FirstNews, Daniel Iworiso-Markson, said it was highly commendable, adding that at long last “we are beginning to see some action being taken to unravel the whereabouts of Segun Olatunji five days after he was forcefully taken away from his home.”
Eye witness reports had it that Olatunji was taken away last Friday in his Lagos home in the presence of his family by 10 fully armed men, two of whom were dressed in military uniform.
NUJ
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) has called for the immediate release of
the Editor of FirstNews, Mr Segun Olatunji.
In a press statement issued by the Assistant National Secretary of the union, Mr, Akorede Rauph Opeyemi, the NUJ said that the disappearance of Segun Olatunji, the editor of First News newspapers, is another sad reminder of the danger being faced on a daily basis by Journalists in the line of duty.
The NUJ scribe stated further, “although it is not clear which agency of Government was responsible for the arrest of the Journalist, but we believe that freedom of the press and of opinion remain defining elements of the rule of law and democracy.
“For this reason, it is important for the Nigerian government to work to protect freedom of the press and freedom of movement for media professionals. Safety and Security of Journalists is very important.
“Actions like this are clearly unacceptable and are attempts to intimidate journalists and force them into self-censorship. The professional work by Journalists is clearly in the public interest, and acts of impunity against them should not be condoned.
“Olatunji should be released immediately and unconditionally in the interest of democracy, good governance and the rule of law.”
Akorede Rauph Opeyemi,
Assistant National Secretary,
NUJ
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