Gunmen suspected to be soldiers abducted Segun Olatunji, Editor of FirstNews and former Kaduna Bureau Chief of The PUNCH, from his home in Iyana Odo, Abule Egba, Lagos State.
According to FirstNews management, the abduction is linked to a recent story titled, “Revealed: “Defence Chief running office like family business – Public Interest Lawyers,” and another report titled, “EXCLUSIVE: How contractor, company stole N100bn, laundered funds for top govt officials – Investigation,” which was later removed.
Describing the ordeal, Olatunji’s wife, Abiodun, stated that armed men numbering ten took him away without explanation, confiscating his phone and providing no information on his whereabouts.
Daniel Iworiso-Markson, Publisher of FirstNews, confirmed the incident, expressing concern over Olatunji’s disappearance and the lack of communication from authorities.
Iworiso-Markson condemned the manner of the abduction, stressing that Olatunji was never formally invited to address any issues related to national security.
He urged the military high command and security agencies to disclose Olatunji’s location and the reason for his arrest, emphasizing FirstNews’ commitment to ethical and credible journalism.
“If there was any infraction that borders on national security, Olatunji should have first been formally invited rather than this gestapo style of arrest that reminds us of the dark days of the military era, where press freedom was stifled,” Iworiso-Markson concluded.
