NUJ demands abducted journalist, Olatunji’s release

A demand has been made by the national leadership of the Nigeria Union of Journalists about the immediate and unconditional release of a Lagos-based journalist and editor of FirstNews, Segun Olatunji, who was said to have been abducted by armed men from his Lagos home last week Friday.

This statement was made on Tuesday, according to Akorede Opeyemi signed by the union’s Assistant National Secretary.

A former correspondent for Kaduna State Olatunji was swept away by ten armed men on Friday while he was at his home in the Iyana Odo neighborhood of Abule Egba, Lagos. His whereabouts have not been reported as of yet.

Olatunji’s kidnapping was characterized by Opeyemi in the statement as “another threat to press freedom.”

According to what the statement read, “The disappearance of Segun Olatunji, the editor of First News newspapers, is another sad reminder of the danger being faced daily by journalists in the line of duty.

“Eyewitness reports had it that Olatunji was taken away last Friday in his Lagos home in the presence of his family by 10 fully armed men, two of whom were dressed in military uniform.

“Although it is not clear which agency of government was responsible for the arrest of the journalist, we believe that freedom of the press and opinion remain defining elements of the rule of law and democracy.

“For this reason, the Nigerian government needs to work to protect freedom of the press and freedom of movement for media professionals. The safety and security of journalists are very important.

“Actions like this are unacceptable and are attempts to intimidate journalists and force them into self-censorship. The professional work of journalists is clearly in the public interest, and acts of impunity against them should not be condoned.”

He emphasized that his demand for Olatunji’s release was made in the name of democracy, sound governance, and the rule of law. He demanded Olatunji’s immediate and unconditional release.

“Olatunji should be released immediately and unconditionally in the interest of democracy, good governance, and the rule of law,” he concluded.

The family of the journalist who was kidnapped also begged President Bola Tinubu for the man’s unconditional and immediate release in a Save Our Soul letter on Tuesday.