The Nigerian National Committee of the International Press Institute (IPI Nigeria) has urged President Bola Tinubu to direct military authorities to produce Segun Olatunji, the abducted Editor of FirstNews. Olatunji was reportedly abducted from his home in Lagos 12 days ago.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by IPI President Musikilu Mojeed and Legal Adviser/Chairman of the Advocacy Committee Tobi Soniyi, the IPI called on President Tinubu to use his powers as Commander-in-Chief to order the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, to secure Olatunji’s release.
The statement revealed that Olatunji is believed to be in the custody of the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA), an agency under the command of Major General Emmanuel Undiandeye, who reports to General Musa.
Despite efforts by IPI to locate Olatunji, including contacting various military and government agencies, his whereabouts remain unknown, and he has been kept incommunicado.
The statement emphasized the need for Olatunji’s immediate release or a formal charge if he has committed an offense.
It highlighted the international concern over his detention and the potential violation of his rights, including the right to a fair trial within a reasonable time as stipulated by Nigeria’s Constitution.
The IPI called on the international community to pay attention to Olatunji’s case and urged the Nigerian military to provide information on the reasons for his arrest and his current location.
It emphasized that arbitrary detention undermines Nigeria’s human rights record and international standing.
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