The Nigerian National Committee of the International Press Institute (IPI Nigeria) urgently calls upon President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to utilize his authority as Commander-in-Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces to direct the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, to produce Segun Olatunji, the Editor of FirstNews, who was abducted from his home in Lagos twelve days ago.
Extensive investigations conducted by the International Press Institute indicate that Mr. Olatunji is currently being held by the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA), an agency overseen by Major General Emmanuel Undiandeye, who reports directly to the Chief of Defence Staff, General Musa.
For the past eleven days, Mr. Olatunji has been detained incommunicado, with his family, employers, and colleagues unaware of his whereabouts.
IPI Nigeria has received inquiries from around the globe regarding this matter. Despite contacting various authorities including the Nigeria Police, Nigerian Army, Defence Intelligence Agency, Defence Headquarters, and Ministry of Information and National Orientation, seeking information and demanding his release, all efforts have been met with failure.
Speculations have arisen among journalists and human rights activists globally, suggesting that the Nigerian military may be withholding vital information concerning the journalist’s safety.
Therefore, IPI calls upon President Tinubu to direct Nigerian military authorities to immediately release Mr. Olatunji or charge him if any offense has been committed.
Furthermore, the international community is urged to pay close attention to the unjust detention of Mr. Olatunji by the Nigerian military.
The rule of law necessitates that an accused person is afforded the opportunity to defend themselves in court within a reasonable time frame. This aligns with Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution, which prohibits the detention of any citizen or resident beyond 48 hours, except with a valid court order.
Reports indicate that armed individuals in two unmarked vans abducted Mr. Olatunji from his Lagos home on March 15. Despite his wife witnessing the abduction, the assailants, two of whom wore military-style uniforms, refused to disclose his whereabouts.
The military must urgently provide clarification on Mr. Olatunji’s arrest, current location, and why he has not been charged in court.
IPI Nigeria reminds Nigerian authorities that the continued disregard for human rights diminishes Nigeria’s standing in the international community. Prolonged detention of a citizen beyond constitutional limits exacerbates this situation.
The time for action is now.