The Editor of FirstNews Newspaper, Segun Olatunji, on Thursday linked his abduction and detention by the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) to his stories published in the course of his journalism job.
He told Arise News that one of the stories titled, “How Gbajabiamila attempted to corner$30bn, 66 Houses Special Investigator traced to Sabiu”, published on January 29 2024 does not please some persons in the Presidency.
Checks by our Correspondent in FirstNews website indicated that the story has not been pulled down, despite the controversy it generated.
Olatunji, a former Kaduna Bureau Chief of The PUNCH stated these during an emergency press conference organised by the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and International Press Institute (IPI Nigeria), few hours after his release from underground cell after 14 days.
While in the underground cell, Olatunji said he was stripped and were linking him with alleged terrorism.
Olatunji thanked those who supported him, including the Deputy Editor of The Nation, Yomi Odunuga, who signed the documents which aided his release process and Political Correspondent of Arise News, Friday Olokor, who championed the struggle for his freedom.
“I was at home with my son on Friday, March 15, watching ‘Journalists Hangout,’ when I noticed soldiers outside. My wife and my one year old child were also detained. An officer, who introduced himself as Colonel Lawal, approached me. I inquired about their reason for seeking me. He didn’t provide a clear answer, only stating they were from the military”, Olatunji continued.
He described how his encounter with the military spiraled into a series of events that included being blindfolded, flown to Abuja, and detained without charges.
According to him, after his phones were seized, his abductors took him to the Lagos Airport and waited for Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Aircraft, blindfolded and flown to Abuja.
The journalist said he found himself handcuffed, both hands and feet, and stripped of his belongings in the nation’s capital.
During his detention, Olatunji said he experienced physical discomfort due to excessively tight handcuffs, which led to numbness in his right hands and legs.
He said that while in detention, interrogations focused on specific stories published by FirstNews, especially those criticizing the Chief of Defense Intelligence and the Chief of Staff to the President (Femi Gbajabiamila).
“The first story was an accusation against the Chief of Defense Intelligence. I informed them that it was a general story, and they did not say much about it. They also inquired about a story we published regarding the Chief of Staff to the President. This was the major issue. This is why I had mentioned to some people earlier that those responsible for my arrest were individuals in the corridors of power, suggesting that these stories were the reason for my detention.
“It was evident that certain individuals in positions of power were unhappy with the work being done by FirstNews. And they want to link me with alleged terrorism”, he stated.
Olatunji’s wife, who witnessed the abduction, described the fear and confusion she felt as armed men took her husband from their home.
While the Publisher of FirstNews, Daniel Iworiso-Markson, and Olatunji’s colleagues and family endured days of uncertainty, the International Press Institute (IPI Nigeria), Nigeria Guild of Editors (NGE), and the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) diligently worked to locate Olatunji, confronting various government and security agencies.
Their efforts met with denials until a press statement by the IPI Nigeria and subsequent pressure on military officials led to acceptance by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris that he was with government and eventual release.
“According to the management of FirstNews, Mr. Olatunji’s abduction was linked to a recent story published by the media organization,” The President of IPI Nigeria, Musikilu Mojeed, said.
The leadership of the IPI, NGE, and NUJ criticized the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) for its actions, which they deemed anti-democratic and a potential threat to press freedom.
They called on President Bola Tinubu to reprimand those responsible.
The Secretary of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, Dr Iyobosa Uwugiaren, emphasized the importance of a free press.
He said, “If the press is not allowed to carry out its social and constitutional responsibilities but is instead subservient to power, it simply serves as an extension of power.”
Uwugiaren added that the media community would remain vigilant and plan to consult on further actions regarding this incident.
He explained that the outcry over Olatunji’s detention underscored ongoing concerns about press freedom and civil-military relations in Nigeria’s evolving democracy.
Friday Olokor, Abuja
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