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For the record:
Nigerian journalist Segun Olatunji, Editor of FirstNews, shared his harrowing experience following his release from military detention on March 28, 2024, after spending 14 days of captivity.
Olatunji recounted how he was forcefully taken from his home in Lagos on March 15, 2024, by armed military personnel and transported to Abuja, where he was held incommunicado.
During his detention, there was a relentless demand from journalists’ unions and his organization for his release, with his colleagues resorting to spiritual measures in their efforts.
Speaking at a press conference organized by the International Press Institute (IPI), the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), and the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Abuja, Olatunji detailed the events of his arrest.
He described how armed military personnel, accompanied by his wife whom they had taken from her shop, stormed into his home while he was watching television with his son.
Olatunji mentioned encountering a senior military officer named Colonel Lawal during his arrest, who provided no explanation for his detention.
He was then taken to an air force base in Lagos and later transferred to Abuja, where he was blindfolded, stripped of his clothes, and subjected to physical discomfort.
During his detention, Olatunji was interrogated about articles published by FirstNews, particularly those critical of military figures. The military authorities also accused him of terrorism, intensifying his fears for his safety and that of his family.
After his release, Olatunji expressed concerns about ongoing surveillance and threats to his safety, revealing that he had been trailed for weeks before his abduction.
He thanked individuals and organizations for their unwavering support during his ordeal and called for unity among journalists in combating oppression and defending press freedom.
Both Musikilu Mojeed, Editor-in-Chief of PREMIUM TIMES and President of IPI, and Iyobosa Uwugiaren, the general secretary of NGE, emphasized the importance of journalism in upholding democracy and condemned the military’s actions as a direct assault on press freedom.
Mr. Uwugiaren also stated that Olatunji’s release was not the end of the matter and hinted at further actions to hold military officials accountable for their actions, reflecting the broader concern within Nigeria and the international community regarding the erosion of democratic norms and press freedom.
