The Editor of FirstNews Newspaper, Segun Olatunji, shared his harrowing experience at the hands of military personnel who abducted him from his Lagos home. He was abducted on Friday, March 15, 2024, and was released on Thursday following pressure from various media stakeholders.
After his release, Olatunji revealed that he was blindfolded, flown to the Federal Capital Territory, and kept in a cell with handcuffs and leg chains for nearly three days. He recounted being seized by soldiers, taken to the office of the National Air Defence Corps, and then flown to Abuja.
During his captivity, Olatunji was interrogated about stories published by FirstNews, particularly those concerning the Chief of Defence Intelligence and the Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu. He indicated that his abductors were closely connected to the government, suggesting their actions were motivated by a desire to retaliate against FirstNews for its critical reporting.
Olatunji's release came after appeals from the International Press Institute, the Nigeria Guild of Editors, and his employers, demanding his immediate release or lawful charges if any were to be brought against him.
