The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), the International Press Institute (IPI), and the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) have called on President Bola Tinubu to “punish” officers behind the detention of the FirstNews Editor, Segun Olatunji.
Olatunji was arrested in his Abule Egba residence in Lagos State in mid-March with his whereabouts unknown to his family.
While the unions later confirmed his release yesterday morning, they said Olatunji was detained illegally and thus those behind it should be penalised.
“Although our colleague has now been released, we are calling on President Tinubu to ensure that these officers are punished for their bad behaviour,” the unions said in a joint statement by the IPI President Musikilu Mojeed, NGE Secretary, Iyobosa Uwugiaren, and the NUJ President, Chris Isiguzo.
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The statement added, “By all standards, the actions of the DIA, General Musa, and Major General Undiandeye are against the provisions of Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution and other international instruments to which Nigeria is a signatory- which forbid the detention of any citizen or resident beyond 48 hours, except with a valid court order.”
Also, in a statement issued by the management of FirstNews, Olatunji’s abduction was linked to a recent story published by the media organisation titled, “Revealed, defence chief running an office like a family business – Public interest lawyers.”
Narrating the ugly incident, Olatunji’s wife, who witnessed the abduction of her husband, said the armed men stormed their residence a few minutes after 6 pm that day.
She said on their arrival, the abductors immediately confiscated her husband’s telephone before shoving him into a van.
She said she asked the abductors what her husband’s offence was and where they were taking him. The stern-looking men rebuffed her inquiries.
