Family Of Abducted Journalist Sends SOS To Tinubu As NUJ Condemns, Urges Immediate Release

LAGOS, NIGERIA – The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has strongly denounced the abduction of Lagos-based journalist and FirstNews Editor, Segun Olatunji, allegedly by suspected soldiers.

Olatunji, a seasoned journalist, was reportedly taken from his Lagos residence by ten armed men on Friday, March 15, 2024, with his whereabouts remaining unknown, prompting concerns about his well-being.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, March 19, 2024 by the Assistant National Secretary of NUJ, Akorede Rauph Opeyemi, Olatunji’s abduction was condemned as a direct assault on press freedom.

The statement underscored the gravity of Olatunji’s disappearance, citing eyewitness accounts that he was forcefully taken from his home in the presence of his family by armed individuals, two of whom were reportedly in military attire.

While the responsible agency behind the journalist’s arrest remains unclear, NUJ emphasized the fundamental importance of upholding press freedom and the rights of media practitioners.

It urged the Nigerian government to ensure the safety and security of journalists, reiterating that actions such as Olatunji’s abduction constitute unacceptable intimidation tactics aimed at stifling journalistic independence.

NUJ asserted that journalists play a crucial role in upholding democracy and the rule of law, and any acts of impunity against them must not be tolerated.

The statement concluded with a call for the immediate and unconditional release of Olatunji, emphasizing that his detention undermines democratic principles and violates fundamental rights.

In a separate plea, the family of the abducted journalist has also issued a Save Our Soul (SOS) letter to President Bola Tinubu, demanding his prompt release without conditions.