FirstNews Editor Olatunji still missing in a democracy turning into dictatorship
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
FirstNews Editor Segun Olatunji is still missing four days after he was abducted from his home by suspected soldiers, FirstNews Publisher Daniel Iworiso-Markson has alerted the public.
Iworiso-Markson said family members and friends have expressed concern over the whereabouts of Olatunji in a case that escalates the negative experiences of media practitioners under the administration of Bola Tinubu, who himself owns The Nation newspaper and Television Continental (TVC) News.
Three months after he assumed office, the President in August 2023 banned from Aso Rock 25 journalists and media houses, and investigative journalist David Hundeyi has alleged Tinubu plans to kill him for exposing his alleged sleazy background, including certificate forgery of which the courts did not clear Tinubu.
Iworiso-Markson said family members and friends have expressed concern about the whereabouts of the journalist.
They said despite their vigorous efforts there is no word on the location or wellbeing Olatunji, a veteran who previously worked for The PUNCH Kaduna Bureau Chief.
Olatunji’s abduction is reportedly connected with a recent story published by FirstNews with headline, “Revealed: Defence Chief running office like family business – Public Interest Lawyers.”
The story was also published by many other online platforms.
Olatunji’s wife confirms abduction by “men dressed in military uniform”
A statement issued by Iworiso-Markson disclosed Olatunji was taken away from his home in the Iyana Odo area of Abule Egba in Lagos on March 15 by a group of armed individuals, two of them in camouflage, who stormed the home, collected his phone and forcibly took him away without explanation.
The abductors left without giving any information to the family members of Olatunji, whose phone has been switched off.
Olatunji’s wife recounted how “some armed men dressed in military uniform totalling ten in number (two in uniform and the remaining eight in mufti but all armed) arrived at our residence at Dauda Oriyomi Street, Iyana Odo along Joke Ayo in Abule Egba area of Lagos State and took away my husband.
“They refused to state his offence and where they were taking him to despite all the efforts to make them do so.”
About FirstNews
Iworiso-Markson added in his statement that “the management of First News is using this opportunity to call on the military high command and the security agencies to let us know his whereabouts and the reason why he was arrested.
“FirstNews (online & print) is a reputable independent digital news network that prides itself on being a frontline media outfit committed to engaging her world-class audience with factual, authentic, and credible information.
“We conduct our journalism activities with strict observance of the high standards of ethics, accountability, professionalism and legality, while exercising our rights to freedom of expression and information, all in a bid to ensure credible reporting of the news behind the news in Politics, Business, Education, Sport, Health, Entertainment and many more.
“If there was any infraction that borders on national security, Olatunji should have first been formally invited rather [than using] this gestapo style of arrest that reminds of the dark days of the military era, where press freedom was stifled.”
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Related articles:
SERAP alerts, Tinubu already violating Constitution by banning journalists
Nigerians! hold Tinubu ‘personally responsible’ if I’m killed, Hundeyin cries out
Hundeyin tells UN Council, Tinubu has attempted to abduct him from Ghana
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