•Segun Olatunji
The national leadership of the Nigeria Union of Journalists has demanded the immediate and unconditional release of a Lagos-based journalist, Segun Olatunji, who was said to have been abducted by armed men from his Lagos home last week Friday.
The union made the demand in a statement signed by its Assistant National Secretary, Akorede Opeyemi today.
Olatunji is a former Kaduna State correspondent of Punch and editor of FirstNews.
He was abducted by 10 armed men in his Lagos home in Iyana Odo, Abule Egba area of Lagos on Friday, and his whereabouts since then have remained unknown.
The NUJ described Olatunji’s abduction as another threat to freedom of the press.
The statement reads, “The disappearance of Segun Olatunji, the editor of First News newspapers, is another sad reminder of the danger being faced daily by journalists in the line of duty.
“Eyewitness 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.
“Although it is not clear which agency of government was responsible for the arrest of the journalist, we believe that freedom of the press and opinion remain defining elements of the rule of law and democracy.
“For this reason, the Nigerian government needs to work to protect freedom of the press and freedom of movement for media professionals. Safety and security of journalists are very important.
“Actions like this are unacceptable and are attempts to intimidate journalists and force them into self-censorship. The professional work of journalists is clearly in the public interest, and acts of impunity against them should not be condoned.”
Opeyemi called for the immediate and unconditional release of Olatunji, stressing that the demand for his release was in the interest of democracy, good governance, and the rule of law.
“Olatunji should be released immediately and unconditionally in the interest of democracy, good governance and the rule of law,” he stated.
Meanwhile, the family of the abducted journalist had, in a Save Our Soul letter today to President Bola Tinubu, also pleaded for his immediate and unconditional release.
