Military Planned Secret Elimination of Abducted Lagos Editor, Colleagues Allege
Colleagues of Segun Olatunji, the Editor of FirstNews who was abducted, detailed the harrowing ordeal he faced allegedly at the hands of the military. Olatunji, formerly a correspondent for The PUNCH, was seized from his Lagos residence by individuals clad in military attire.
Military authorities, under mounting pressure, eventually released Olatunji after days in captivity. Media stakeholders, including representatives from The Nation and Thisday newspapers, played a crucial role in securing his freedom.
The abduction, linked by Olatunji's colleagues to a critical article titled "Revealed: Defence Chief running office like family business," prompted widespread condemnation from organizations such as the International Press Institute and the Nigeria Guild of Editors.
Despite persistent denials from the military regarding Olatunji's whereabouts, investigations led by the International Press Institute revealed his detention and alleged torture by the Defence Intelligence Agency in Abuja.
In a press conference held at the Nigerian Union of Journalists' secretariat in Abuja, colleagues of Olatunji accused the Defence Intelligence Agency of unlawful detention and voiced suspicions of a sinister agenda, suggesting a potential plot to eliminate him discreetly.
Acknowledging the intervention of government officials, including the Minister of Information, in securing Olatunji's release, colleagues expressed dismay at the military's disregard for civilian authority and press freedom.
They called on President Bola Tinubu to ensure justice is served and emphasized the need to hold accountable those responsible for the violation of Olatunji's rights. The incident, they argued, underscores the fragility of Nigeria's democracy and the imperative of protecting press freedom.
The actions of the Defence Intelligence Agency, along with senior military officials, were deemed unconstitutional and a direct assault on press freedom, prompting calls for swift and decisive action to uphold democratic principles.
