CPJ Urges Nigerian Army to Account for First News Editor Segun Olatunji’s Disappearance

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has demanded the Nigerian Army provide the whereabouts of First News editor Segun Olatunji, who was taken by armed men identifying themselves as officers with the army.

CPJ, in its call for accountability, released a statement on Thursday, which reads in part, “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.”

However, reports following his arrest revealed that men in military uniform showed up at his doorstep in Lagos, where he resides, after a publication that depicts he got a tip from “Public Interest Lawyers” who alleged that the Defence Chief is running the office as a family business.

According to CPJ, First News publisher Daniel Iworiso-Markson states that “Olatunji had recently removed a story from the site about how a popular contractor used by public officials had allegedly diverted government funds.”

The story headline reads: ‘Revealed: Defence Chief running office as family business – Public Interest Lawyers‘ which many media reports speculated to be the reason for his arrest.

Meanwhile, the CPJ maintained in his statement that “The story was taken down after Olatunji received calls from people who described the report as problematic.

Also, Iworiso-Markson told CPJ that he did not have any details about the people who called Olatunji about the story.

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, said CPJ Africa Program Head Angela Quintal in New York.

“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,” says Quintal.

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Mayowa Durosinmi

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M. Durosinmi is a West Africa Weekly investigative reporter covering Politics, Human Rights, Health, and Security in West Africa and the Sahel Region

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