It is imperative that we do not overlook the abduction, subsequent detention, and inhumane treatment of Segun Olatunji, the Editor of online newspaper FirstNews. President Bola Tinubu must demonstrate to the Nigerian populace that he is not covertly operating a military-style regime under the guise of democracy.
Olatunji was seized from his residence in Lagos on March 15 by armed individuals. He remained in captivity for two weeks until his release on March 28. Olatunji recounted that a conglomeration of 20 heavily armed military personnel from different branches, including the Army, Air Force, strike force, and Defence Intelligence Agency officers, stormed his home to apprehend him.
Prior to his arrest, his wife, 16-month-old child, and another woman were reportedly harassed and taken into custody by security personnel. With Nigeria grappling with pervasive insecurity, it is baffling that the military has significant resources at its disposal to deploy against a single private citizen when coerced by influential figures.
During an interview with the Foundation for Investigative Reporting, Olatunji expressed, “The ordeal was distressing for me and my family, as my wife and children were traumatized by the incident. They had never encountered such a large assembly of armed personnel, let alone the abrupt removal of their breadwinner to an undisclosed location in a manner reminiscent of Gestapo tactics.
“Witnessing my wife and children in tears, pleading with the armed individuals not to take me away was disheartening. It resembled a commando operation against a vulnerable and unarmed journalist.
“The intimidating display of force by over 20 armed operatives was not only terrifying but also humiliating, as unsuspecting residents in my vicinity were frightened by the sight of numerous armed personnel. Many individuals had to seek safety to avoid potential mishaps from accidental firearm discharges by the heavily armed forces during my apprehension.”
What transgression led to this? Olatunji published a piece allegedly linking a prominent member of the Tinubu administration, who bypassed legal procedures and resorted to military intimidation against an innocent journalist merely executing his duties.
This amounts to harassment—an egregious violation of his rights. The military has once again exceeded its jurisdiction. In Nigeria, it is the duty of the police to investigate such infractions. Those sanctioning such acts must be held accountable under the full extent of the law. Heads must roll! The military’s mandate is to safeguard Nigeria’s territorial sovereignty, not pursue defenseless journalists.
Throughout this ordeal, the military initially denied involvement in Olatunji’s arrest, tarnishing its credibility.
While the plight of journalists was graver during military rule, Nigeria has witnessed a troubling trend of governmental persecution and coercion of journalists, often with military collusion, despite the nation’s return to democracy in 1999.
These oppressive actions not only trample on journalists’ essential rights but also undercut the principles of democracy and press freedom on which Nigeria prides itself. The time has come for the government to cease this culture of lawlessness and value the critical function journalists play in holding authority accountable.
The military’s history of harassing journalists and media outlets is deeply entrenched in the country’s authoritarian past. From the oppressive era of military dictatorship to the present, journalists have been targeted, tortured, and silenced for daring to unveil truths and decry injustice.
This ignoble tradition continues to plague Nigeria’s democracy, as journalists encounter threats, assaults, and even fatalities merely for executing their mandate.
One poignant case is that of Jones Abiri, a journalist and Weekly Source publisher in July 2016. He was detained without trial by the Department of State Services for over two years, and later rearrested in 2019. Abiri’s protracted detention devoid of legal representation or familial interactions epitomizes the government’s blatant disregard for the rule of law and press freedom. Abiri’s ordeal stands as a grim reminder of the perils confronting journalists in Nigeria.
Another instance is the arrest and repeated detention of Omoyele Sowore, the Sahara Reporters publisher, on several occasions by Nigerian security forces in 2019 for allegedly scheming to overthrow the government through the #RevolutionNow movement. Buhari’s administration flouted numerous court directives for his release.
Sowore’s detention, embellished with reports of torture and maltreatment, elicited outcry nationally and globally, shedding light on the government’s systematic crackdown on dissenting voices.
Furthermore, the arrest of Agba Jalingo, the CrossRiverWatch publisher, in August 2019 on charges of treason and terrorism raised grave apprehensions about the diminishing space for independent journalism in Nigeria.
Jalingo languished in detention for months before securing bail, enduring threats and coercion from security operatives. His case epitomizes the authorities’ strategy of exploiting draconian statutes to silence and bully journalists who dare to censure the government.
In 2020, journalist and activist Kufre Carter was arrested and confined by the DSS for purportedly disseminating false information. Carter’s arrest followed his critical coverage of government officials in Akwa Ibom State. Despite being granted bail, Carter continues to endure harassment and intimidation from security forces, underscoring the ongoing hazards confronting journalists in Nigeria.
These instances spotlight journalists singled out and stifled by the Nigerian government in its relentless drive for censorship and dominance. These actions not only infringe on journalists’ rights but also sabotage the public’s entitlement to information and holding authority accountable—a partial reason why governments disregard adherence to the Freedom of Information Act.
The government must acknowledge that press freedom is pivotal to democracy, serving as a crucial bulwark against despotism and malfeasance. Rather than suppress dissenting voices, the government must cherish and shield journalists’ rights to report freely and without fear of retaliation. This encompasses ensuring that those responsible for harassing, torturing, and mistreating journalists are held accountable and face justice for their transgressions.
The government should take tangible strides to foster an atmosphere conducive to press freedom, comprising rescinding repressive laws wielded against journalists and activists.
It should fortify mechanisms safeguarding journalists, encompassing furnishing adequate training and resources to law enforcement agencies and creating independent oversight entities to investigate claims of harassment and abuse.
In closing, the Nigerian government must cease its crusade of intimidation and harassment of journalists and honor the foundational right to press freedom. Rather than persecuting journalists, dissatisfied public figures should seek redress through the judicial system, as Nigeria boasts sufficient laws governing defamation, slander, and misinformation.
Tinubu should not remain apathetic towards the military’s transgressions against Olatunji, especially considering allegations implicating high-ranking officials in his administration in the editor’s ordeal. To substantiate his innocence, the culprits must be identified and prosecuted.
Following his presidency win, the President vowed to uphold press freedom during a meeting with the executives of the Newspapers Proprietors Association of Nigeria last year. It is imperative that he honors this solemn commitment.
The global community is observing!