Following mounting pressure, military authorities have released Segun Olatunji, the Editor of FirstNews, who was kidnapped from his residence in Lagos State on Friday, March 15, 2024.
Verification from PUNCH Online confirms that Olatunji was set free to certain media figures, including Yomi Odunuga from The Nation newspaper and Iyobosa Uwugiaren from Thisday Newspaper in Abuja on Thursday after continuous pressure from the press.
These individuals were required to assure that Olatunji would be available if needed in the future.
The IPI, the Nigeria Guild of Editors, and Olatunji’s employers had all issued distinct statements condemning his abduction, demanding that authorities release him or bring charges against him.
It should be noted that Olatunji, a former NewsNow correspondent in Kaduna State, was taken by individuals dressed in military attire from his home in the Iyana Odo, Abule Egba area of Lagos State.
On Wednesday, the International Press Institute, Nigeria, disclosed that Olatunji had been traced to the custody of the Defence Intelligence Agency.
The DIA operates under the leadership of Major General Emmanuel Undiandeye, who answers to the Chief of Defence Staff.
PUNCH Online has been informed that media representatives will be addressing journalists regarding this matter at 11am in Abuja.