We’ve begun probe into ‘abduction’ of FirstNews editor, say police

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) say it has commenced investigation into the “abduction” of Segun Olatunji, the editor of FirstNews.

Muyiwa Adejobi, force spokesperson, told journalists in Abuja on Tuesday that the police will reach out to the military to ascertain if the editor is in their custody.

Adejobi said the police authorities will not relent until Olatunji reunites with his family.

Reacting to the development, the Publisher of FirstNews, Daniel Iworiso-Markson, said it was highly commendable, noting that at long last “we are beginning to see some action being taken to unravel the whereabouts of Segun Olatunji five days after he was forcefully taken away from his home”.

“It was expected that this action should have been taken long before now, but nonetheless, we are glad about the decision of the police to take up the matter,” he said.

“We are all worried, and it’s really disheartening that five days after this incident was reported, no action has been taken by the authorities until now. We have been running from pillar to post seeking help for the release of our editor.

“The family is really traumatized by it all, and with the passing of each day with no sign of Segun’s whereabouts, it’s like we are all hanging by a thread. We really hope the police will find and bring him back safely to his family.”

Last Friday, Olatunji was reportedly abducted from his home in Iyana Odo, Abule Egba area of Lagos, by gunmen.

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.

Since the abduction, the journalist’s family has yet to receive any form of communication from his abductors.

The management of the media platform linked the incident to a recent story published by FirstNews.

On Monday, Olatunji’s family wrote an SOS letter to President Bola Tinubu, requesting him to “order the military to immediately release him”.

On Tuesday, the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) called for the immediate release of the editor.