The national leadership of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has issued a fervent call for the swift and unconditional release of Segun Olatunji, a respected Lagos-based journalist and the editor of FirstNews, who was reportedly abducted from his residence in Lagos by armed assailants last Friday.
In a statement released on Tuesday, signed by the union’s Assistant National Secretary, Akorede Opeyemi, the NUJ expressed deep concern over Olatunji’s disappearance, labeling it as yet another alarming assault on press freedom.
According to eyewitness accounts, Olatunji was forcefully taken from his home in Iyana Odo, Abule Egba area of Lagos, by a group of ten armed men, two of whom were reportedly clad in military attire. Since then, his whereabouts remain unknown, plunging his family and colleagues into distress.
Opeyemi emphasized that Olatunji’s abduction represents a grave threat to the fundamental principles of democracy and the rule of law, stressing the indispensable role of a free and vibrant press in upholding these principles.
The statement underscored the imperative for the Nigerian government to safeguard press freedom and ensure the safety and security of journalists, whose essential work serves the public interest.
Condemning such acts of intimidation and violence against journalists as unacceptable, Opeyemi reiterated the NUJ’s unwavering demand for Olatunji’s immediate and unconditional release.
“This call for the release of Olatunji is not just about one individual; it is about safeguarding the pillars of democracy, promoting good governance, and upholding the rule of law,” Opeyemi asserted.
Meanwhile, in a separate appeal, the family of the abducted journalist issued a heartfelt plea to President Bola Tinubu, urging urgent action for the safe return of their loved one.