The International Press Institute, Nigeria, has urged President Bola Tinubu to get the security authorities to free the Editor of FirstNews, Mr Segun Olatunji, who was allegedly taken by men in uniforms last Friday.
IPI Nigeria, in a statement on Thursday signed by its President, Musikilu Mojeed and Legal Adviser, Tobi Soniyi, observed that “The continuous detention of Mr Olatunji in any form infringes on his basic rights under the Nigerian Constitution.
“He has the right to his personal freedom. If he has committed a crime, he should be taken to court as specified by the Constitution.”
Olatunji, a former Kaduna State correspondent of The PUNCH, was picked up in his Lagos home in Iyana Odo, Abule Egba area of Lagos last Friday.
He was reportedly taken away by 10 armed men, and so far, nothing has been heard about where he is.
At the time of this report, no security agency has admitted to having Olatunji in their custody, while his family remain in fear.
Before releasing this statement, IPI Nigeria had approached security agencies asking for the prompt release of Olatunji. However, there has been no positive answer.
“President Bola Tinubu, in his inaugural speech had promised to uphold the Constitution. IPI Nigeria is now asking the president to uphold the Constitution”, the statement added.
