Family of ‘abducted’ editor writes Tinubu, to stage peaceful protest

The family of Segun Olatunji, “abducted” editor of FirstNews, has written a letter to President Bola Tinubu, requesting him to “order the military to immediately release him”. 

Olatunji, a former Kaduna bureau chief of The PUNCH, was reportedly abducted from his home in Iyana Odo, Abule Egba area of Lagos, by gunmen on Friday.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the management of the media platform linked the incident to a recent story published by FirstNews.

His wife, Abiodun Olatunji, said the armed men numbering ten arrived at their residence a few minutes after 6 pm and whisked him away, without disclosing where the journalist was being taken to.

In the SOS letter signed by Tosin Olatunji, elder brother of the abducted journalist, the family said since his abduction, there has been no word or official statement from his abductors.

The family said they fear for the life of their son, adding that they have contacted the police for his whereabouts and current health condition.

“We have decided to write an SOS letter to the President and Commander in Chief of the armed forces to order the military high command to immediately release our son, who we believe is in their custody. This is one of the only options we have,” the letter reads.

“We are optimistic that the President will intervene. It is a trying moment for us all.

“Since his abduction, the only help we have received so far by way of care and show of concern has only come from First Media Network Limited, publishers of First News, who are his employers.”

Tosin also disclosed that the family has agreed to the plan by friends and close associates of the abducted journalist to stage a peaceful protest in Lagos and Abuja, to draw the attention of the military and other constituted authorities to the development.

In an interview with journalists, Daniel Iworiso-Markson, publisher of First News, said everyone must rally round and support every initiative that will spur the government into action.

“As an organization, we are fully in support of whatever initiative that will get the government to act and ensure the immediate release of Segun Olatunji,” he said.

“We cannot afford to fold our hands and do nothing. We are in a democracy and we believe this kind of lawless act by agents of government funded by taxpayers’ money should not be allowed to stand.”