Press Institute Demands Release Of Firstnews Editor, Olatunji

The International Press Institute, Nigeria, has called on President Bola Tinubu to prevail on the security agencies to secure the immediate release of the Editor of FirstNews, Mr Segun Olatunji, who was allegedly abducted by uniformed men last Friday.

IPI Nigeria, in a statement on Thursday signed by its President, Musikilu Mojeed and Legal Adviser, Tobi Soniyi, noted that “The continued detention of Mr Olatunji under whatever guise is a gross violation of his fundamental human rights under the Nigerian Constitution.

“He is entitled to his personal liberty. If, however, he has committed an offence, he should be charged to court as provided for by the Constitution.”

Olatunji, a former Kaduna State correspondent of The PUNCH, was on Friday picked up in his Lagos home in Iyana Odo, Abule Egba area of Lagos.

He was reportedly whisked away by 10 armed men, and to date, nothing has been heard of his whereabouts.

As of the time of this report, no security agency has owned up to Olatunji being in their custody, while his family remain in apprehension.

Before issuing this statement, IPI Nigeria had reached out to security agencies demanding the immediate release of Olatunji. However, there has been no positive response.

“President Bola Tinubu, in his inaugural speech had promised to uphold the Constitution. IPI Nigeria is now calling on the president to uphold the Constitution”, the statement added.