DIA releases First News Editor Segun Olatunji
Segun Olatunji
Published By: Paul Dada
The Defence Intelligence Agency has released the Editor of First News Online Newspaper Segun Olatunji after spending two weeks in custody.
Segun Olatunji who was said to have been whisked away by 15 solders from his home in Abule-Egba in Lagos, on March 15, was released to the General Secretary of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, Mr. Iyobosa Uwugiaren and a Deputy Editor with THE NATION, Yomi Odunuga, under a bridge in Asokoro, Abuja.
There were media reports speculating that Olatunji’s arrest might have been caused by a news story in his publication accusing an official working with the Nigeria Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) of not fairly allocating public contracts.
The Gestapo style arrest of the journalist had generated criticisms from within and outside the country.
The Committee to Protect Journalists CPJ) had particularly demanded called on the military to account for the whereabouts of the journalist.
CPJ said in a statement: “The Nigerian military should swiftly and publicly account for the whereabouts of First News editor Segun Olatunji, who was taken by armed men identifying themselves as officers with the army, disclose any charges against him, and ensure his safety.
“On March 15, around 15 armed men in two unmarked vans arrived at Olatunji’s home in Alagbado, a community in Nigeria’s western Lagos state.
“The men, two of whom wore military-style uniforms, introduced themselves as officers of the Nigerian army and forced Olatunji to come with them without explanation. Abiodun Oluwakemi, his wife, also said that she pleaded with the men not to take her husband.”
“Three days before he was taken, armed men approached a local security guard and showed him a photo of Olatunji, asking for his whereabouts. When the guard could not provide sufficient details, the men instructed him to use his phone to call a number they provided.
“The number connected to Oluwakemi’s phone, and the guard asked her questions about admission to a local university, which made no sense.
“She was confused and bothered by the call and, after contacting him again, learned from the security guard that the armed men had followed him over the days between making him place the call and Olatunji being taken.”
“Olatunji’s arrest by armed men identifying themselves as officers with the Nigerian army is totally unacceptable. Nigerian authorities must ensure his safety and swiftly clarify the reasons for his detention. The seizure of journalists from their homes is behaviour reminiscent of an era in Nigerian history when the military ran the country and has no place in a modern democracy,”
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