Soldiers may have kidnapped the editor of FirstNews newspaper, Segun Olatunji, from his home in Lagos State.
Olatunji, a former Kaduna State correspondent of The PUNCH, was kidnapped on Friday by gunmen from his home in the Iyana Odo, Abule Egba area of the state.
The management of the online newspaper stated that the abduction was related to a recent article published by FirstNews titled, “Defence Chief running office like family business – Public Interest Lawyers”, which was also published by other online platforms.
The management also linked his abduction to another report titled, “EXCLUSIVE: How contractor, company stole N100bn, laundered funds for top govt officials – Investigation”, which was later removed.
The incident has caused fear among the members of staff of the newspaper, the management said.
Olatunji’s wife said that 10 armed men came to their home at Dauda Oriyomi Street, Iyana Odo along Joke Ayo in Abule Egba area of Lagos State, and took her husband away.
She said her husband’s abductors took his phone immediately and put him into a van.
She also mentioned that their attempts to find out his offense or where they were taking him were ignored by the stern-looking men.
“Ten armed men, two in uniform and the remaining eight in civilian clothes, 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 declined to state his offense and where they were taking him despite all the efforts to make them do so,” she said.
The Publisher of FirstNews, Daniel Iworiso-Markson, who also confirmed the incident, said there has been no trace of Olatunji, as his phone line has been switched, and no one has reached the family or the management of FirstNews to disclose the real reason behind his abduction.
While condemning Olatunji’s abduction, Iworiso-Markson stated that he was never formally invited to answer any questions.
He said, “The management of FirstNews 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 and 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 bothers on national security, Olatunji should have first been formally invited rather than this Gestapo style of arrest that reminds is of the dark days of the military era, where press freedom was stifled.”
I could not reach the Assistant Director of Public Relations at the 9 Brigade of Nigerian Army, Major Augustine Kolawole Bello, as he did not answer the phone when I tried to call.
At the time of writing this report, he has not replied to the text message sent to his number.
