Nigerian journalist Segun Olatunji’s arrest has sparked outrage. Media unions in Nigeria condemn the act as an attack on press freedom and demand a “speedy, public, transparent and independent investigation” into his arrest.
TruthNigeria reported that Olatunji, chief editor of First News Online, was abducted from his Lagos residence on March 15 by unidentified armed men who identified themselves as officers of the Nigerian Army. He was flown from Lagos to Abuja in a blindfold and cuffs to be grilled on certain stories published by First News Online. He was freed after two weeks.
Nine media unions issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Nigerian government on Sunday, urging them to identify, arrest, and prosecute those behind the arrest. Failure to act would likely lead to further unspecified actions.
“All persons within and outside the military who are found to have been connected with the incident, including those who effected Mr. Olatunji’s arrest, detention and torture, those who directly commanded them, and those who ordered or instigated the action, should be prosecuted before the appropriate court,” they stated.
This incident adds to existing concerns about press freedom in Nigeria, where journalists accuse the government of stifling dissent. The next two weeks are critical. The government’s response to the media’s demands will determine if the situation escalates and potentially leads to international sanctions.
—Ezinwanne Onwuka reports for TruthNigeria from Abuja.
