‘He’s entitled to personal liberty’ — IPI Nigeria demands release of ‘abducted’ editor

The International Press Institute (IPI) Nigeria, a global network of editors, media executives, and communication experts, has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to order the release of Segun Olatunji, editor of FirstNews.

On March 15, Olatunji was reportedly abducted from his home in Iyana Odo, Abule Egba area of Lagos, by gunmen.

While the journalist’s family is yet to receive any communication from his abductors, the management of the media platform has linked the incident to a recent story published by FirstNews.

In a statement on Thursday by Musikilu Mojeed, IPI president, and Tobi Soniyi, IPI legal adviser, the group described the detention of the Olatunji as a violation of his fundamental human rights.

IPI said the abducted editor is entitled to a fair hearing if he had committed an offence.

“The continued detention of Mr Olatunji under whatever guise is a gross violation of his fundamental human rights under the Nigerian constitution,” the statement reads.

“He is entitled to his personal liberty. If, however, he has committed an offence, he should be charged to court as provided for by the constitution.”

The group noted that it has written to security agencies and has not received a favourable response.

The IPI called on the president to uphold the constitution as he promised in his inaugural speech.

“As it is now, no security agency has owned up to holding Mr. Olatunji. His family remains under apprehension,” the statement added.

“Before issuing this statement, IPI Nigeria had reached out to security agencies demanding the immediate release of Mr Olatunji. However, there has been no positive response.

“President Bola Tinubu, in his inaugural speech had promised to uphold the constitution. IPI Nigeria is now calling on the president to uphold the constitution.”