FirstNews editor Segun Olatunji recently shared his harrowing experience of being abducted and detained by the military in Nigeria. His ordeal began on March 15th when armed military personnel stormed his home in Lagos, using his wife as bait to arrest him. He was then taken to an air force base and eventually transported to Abuja, where he was held incommunicado for 14 days.
During his detention, Mr. Olatunji endured physical and psychological torture, including having his cuffs tightened to the point of numbness in his right hand and leg. He was interrogated about stories published by FirstNews, with the military accusing him of terrorism. Despite the baseless allegations, Mr. Olatunji was finally released after a thorough search of his phone and obtaining a statement from him.
Upon his release, Mr. Olatunji expressed concerns about his safety, as he had been trailed for weeks before his abduction. He thanked individuals and organizations for advocating for his release and emphasized the importance of journalists uniting to fight against oppression.
The Editor-in-Chief of PREMIUM TIMES and President of the International Press Institute, Musikilu Mojeed, commended Nigerian journalists for their solidarity in demanding Mr. Olatunji’s release. He highlighted the crucial role of journalism in upholding democracy and urged journalists to support each other in times of crisis.
The Nigerian Guild of Editors also condemned the military’s actions, calling it a direct attack on press freedom. They vowed to take further action against the military officials involved in Mr. Olatunji’s abduction.
Mr. Olatunji’s story serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by journalists in Nigeria and the importance of standing up for press freedom. His resilience and the support of the media community demonstrate the power of unity in the face of adversity.
