Segun Olatunji, the Editor of FirstNews Newspaper, shared his frightening ordeal at the hands of military personnel who forcefully took him from his residence in Lagos. He was finally released on Thursday after being held captive for days.
Under mounting pressure, military authorities eventually set Olatunji free after he was abducted from his Lagos home on Friday, March 15, 2024.
Following sustained pressure from the media, Olatunji was handed over to media figures such as Yomi Odunuga from The Nation newspaper and Iyobosa Uwugiaren from Thisday Newspaper in Abuja.
They had to ensure that Olatunji could be accessed if the need arose again.
International Press Institute, Nigeria Guild of Editors, and Olatunji’s employer all criticized his arrest in separate statements, urging authorities to either release him or present charges against him.
During a press briefing in Abuja organized by Nigerian Guild of Editors, Nigeria Union of Journalists, and IPI, Olatunji recounted his horrifying experience post-release. He revealed that he was blindfolded, flown to the Federal Capital Territory, and confined in restraints for nearly three days.
While narrating his ordeal, Olatunji mentioned, “A man, claiming to be Colonel Lawal, seized my phones and instructed me to dress. Upon descending, I was met with armed soldiers inside the compound and multiple security personnel outside.”
He continued, “I was swiftly taken to the National Air Defence Corps office where we waited for an aircraft to transport me to Abuja. I was blindfolded during the journey and landed in Abuja in restraints.”
“Subsequently, I was confined to a cell, handcuffed and left to endure the discomfort for several days,” he added. Olatunji expressed lingering physical pain from the experience.
Revealing the motive behind his captivity, Olatunji noted that his interrogators were closely associated with the government, focusing their inquiries on specific articles published by FirstNews.
He mentioned, “They questioned me about certain stories, particularly those concerning the Chief of Defence Intelligence and the Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu. It is evident that my captors were displeased with FirstNews’ coverage and sought retribution.”