IPC’s Centre for Safety and Protection of Journalists (I-CSPJ) is demanding the immediate release of the Editor of First News and former Kaduna Bureau Chief of Punch Newspaper, Mr. Segun Olatunji.
According to the I-CSPJ, Segun Olatunji was whisked away from his residence in Iyana Odo, Abule Egba area of Lagos State.
He was taken by armed men suspected to be soldiers on Friday, March 15, 2024.
A statement by the spokesperson for the centre, Melody Akinjiyan, said that “the management of the online Newspaper linked his abduction to a recent story published by FirstNews entitled, ‘Revealed: Defence Chief running office like family business – Public Interest Lawyers,’ published by many other online platforms”.
Speaking with the Press Freedom Officer of IPC, Melody Akinjiyan, a former colleague of Segun Olatunji stated that “10 armed men, some dressed in military uniform stormed the residence few minutes past 6:00 p.m. on Friday and took him away, without any information as to where they were taking him to or his offense”.
Furthermore, the I-CSPJ expressed deep worry about this development.
Also, it highlighted that Segun Olatunji’s whereabouts remain unknown as at the time of issuing the press release.
As a result, the I-CSPJ is demanding the immediate release of Segun Olatunji.
Also, in the alternative, the centre requests that he should be charged to court if he has committed any offence.
“I-CSPJ condemns this approach in its totality and reiterates the need to always follow the rule of law and constitutional means of seeking redress in the face of any perceived grievances,’ the statement stated.