Gunmen ‘abduct’ editor in Lagos

FirstNews, an online news platform, says Segun Olatunji, its editor, was on Thursday abducted from his home in Lagos.

Olatunji, a former Kaduna bureau chief of The PUNCH, was reportedly picked from his house in Iyana Odo, Abule Egba area of Lagos state by gunmen.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the management of the media platform linked the incident to a recent story published by FirstNews titled, “Revealed: “Defence Chief running office like family business – Public Interest Lawyers”.

It said the news article was also published by other online platforms.

The management also said the abduction may be because of another report titled, “EXCLUSIVE: How contractor, company stole N100bn, laundered funds for top govt officials – Investigation”, which it said was later pulled down.

According to the statement, his wife, Abiodun Olatunji, said the armed men numbering ten arrived at their residence a few minutes after 6 pm without disclosing where he was being taken to.

“Some armed men dressed in military uniform totaling ten in number (two in uniform and the remaining 8 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,” Abiodun Olatunji was quoted as saying.

“They refused to state his offence and where they were taking him to despite all the efforts to make them do so.”

Daniel Iworiso-Markson, publisher of FirstNews, said there has been no trace of Olatunji, as his phone line has been switched off.

Iworiso-Markson added that no one has reached the family or the management of FirstNews to explain why he was abducted.

“The management of FirstNews is using this opportunity to call on the military high command and the security agencies to let us know his whereabout and the reason why he was arrested,” Iworiso-Markson said.

“FirstNews (online & print) is a reputable independent digital news network that prides itself on being a frontline media outfit committed to engaging her world-class audience with factual, authentic, and credible information.

“We conduct our journalism activities with strict observance of the high standards of ethics, accountability, professionalism and legality, while exercising our rights to freedom of expression and information, all in a bid to ensure credible reporting of the news behind the news in Politics, Business, Education, Sport, Health, Entertainment and many more.

“If there was any infraction that borders on national security, Olatunji should have first been formally invited rather that this gestapo style of arrest that reminds one of the dark days of the military era, where press freedom was stifled.”