‘International embarrassment’ — FirstNews publisher seeks release of editor

Daniel Iworiso-Markson, the publisher of FirstNews, has described the disappearance of Segun Olatunji, editor of the online news platform, as an international embarrassment.

Olatunji was reportedly abducted from his home in Iyana Odo, Abule Egba area of Lagos, on March 14.

Speaking to journalists in Lagos on Tuesday, Iworiso-Markson said it is disturbing that nothing has been heard about the editor since he was taken away.

He lamented that security agents are yet to respond despite calls from the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), and other respected groups.

The publisher also called on the national security adviser (NSA) to ensure the release of the “abducted” editor.

“The office of the National Security Adviser, Chief of Defence Staff, DSS and all the security agencies should save Nigeria this national and international embarrassment by letting us know the whereabouts of our editor,” the publisher said.

“They should consider the plight of the family of the abducted journalist and do the needful. We already know that the value of a human life in Nigeria amounts to nothing.

“But should the government not value the country’s image and the image of the government as a whole which on a daily basis is being ridiculed globally for the many lives of its citizens that are unaccounted for due to sheer failure of governance?

“At FirstNews, we are all scared for our lives at the moment. If one of us can be whisked away in such a gestapo manner without any trace of him for days and no form of government intervention to date, then nobody is safe.

“This is a cry for help from the NSA and the Chief of Defense Staff, including the other security agencies. We fear for our safety. We no longer feel safe in our offices and homes. The management and staff of First News are all living in fear. Please save us. Until our editor is released, we will not feel safe.”