By Uche Amunike
The whereabouts of the Editor of FirstNews Online Newspaper, Segun Olatunji, who was abducted from his home at the Iyana Odo, Abule Egba area of Lagos State, on Friday by armed men is still yet to be known.
The management of the online newspaper in reaction to his abduction, has stated that the action may likely be connected with some news reports that were recently published on their platform.
The first report, which was also published by other online news media, aside from FirstNews, was titled: ‘Revealed: Defense Chief Running Office Like Family Business-Public Interest Lawyers.’
The second report, which was eventually pulled down by the tabloid, was titled: ‘EXCLUSIVE: How Contractor, Company Stole N100bn, Laundered Funds for Top Govt Officials-Investigation’.
Segun Olatunji’s arrest has presently created panic in staff members of the FirstNews online newspaper.
His wife, Abiodun Olatunji on her part, narrated that her husband was abducted by the armed men a few minutes past 6pm on that fateful day, with his abductors, not leaving any information about where they were taking him to.
According to her, they siezed his phone immediately they arrived, before they whisked him into a waiting van and drove off. She further stated that a efforts to know what his offense was and where they were taking him to, proved abortive as the armed men refused to offer those information.
Hear her: ‘Some armed men dressed in military uniform totaling 10 in number (two in uniform and the remaining eight in mufti, but all armed) arrived at our residence at Dauda Oriyomi street, Iyana Odo along Joke Ayo in Abule Egba area of Lagos state and took away my husband.’
‘They refused to state his offence and where they were taking him to despite all the efforts to make them do so.’
She also stated that her husband, Segun Olatunji is an easy going man that was not known for being troublesome, but rather, always remained focused about his job.
Confirming the incident, is the Publisher of FirstNews, Mr Daniel Iworiso-Markson, who stated that Segun Olatunji’s telephone line has since been switched off and there was no trace of him even as at press time. He further explained that neither the family of the abducted journalist, nor the management of FirstNews has been reached by his abductors to disclose the reason why they took him away.
He condemned the manner in which his staff member was bundled out of his home, stating that he was never invited for questioning to give answers to any issues that bordered on national security.
His words: ‘The management of FirstNews is using this opportunity to call on the military high command and the security agencies to let us know Olatunji’s whereabouts and why he was arrested.’
‘If there was any infraction that bothers on national security, Olatunji should have first been formally invited rather that this gestapo style of arrest that reminds of the dark days of the military era, where press freedom was stifled.’
