DIA: FirstNews’ General Editor Abducted Over National Security Issue

•NPO, BON, Others refer matter to National Media Ombudsman

Dike Onwuamaeze

The Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA), has explained that the General Editor of FirstNews, Mr. Segun Olatunji, was abducted to forestall a potential threat to national security.

The DIA also claimed that it would have reported the matter to the National Media Complaints Commission (NMCC), which is the National Media Ombudsman, if it had been aware of its existence.

The DIA gave this explanation in response to concerns expressed by the Nigerian Press Organisation (NPO), the Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria (BON) and Civil Society Partners, on the abduction of Olatunji and a demand on the government for accountability on the matter, which also necessitated its request for a meeting with the NPO, BON and the Civil Society Partners on April 14, 2024.

These were contained in a press statement titled “Update on Segun Olatunji,” which was issued yesterday and signed by the President of Newspapers Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN)/President, Nigerian Press Organisation (NPO) Mr. Kabiru A. Yusuf; Executive Secretary, Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria (BON), Dr. Yemisi Bamgbose; President, Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), Mr. Eze Anaba; National President of Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Mr. Chris Isiguzo and President, Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP), Ms. Maureen Chigbo.

Others that signed the press statement were the President, International Press Institute, Nigeria Chapter (IPI Nigeria), Mr. Musikilu Mojeed; Executive Director, Media Rights Agenda (MRA), Mr. Edetaen Ojo; Executive Director, International Press Centre (IPC), Mr. Lanre Arogundade and Director, Socio-Economic Rights & Accountability Project (SERAP), Mr. Adetokunbo Mumuni.

The press statement further declared that “after considering this disposition towards the Ombudsman, the NPO, BON and the Civil Society Partners have decided, after reviewing the outcome of the April 14 meeting, to refer the matter to the Ombudsman for adjudication,” adding that the “report of the Ombudsman process would be made public.”

It said: “We hope that the parties concerned will seize this opportunity to settle the matter in the interest of law, order and respect for the provisions of Nigeria’s constitution.

“Besides, the specific issue of Olatunji, the group condemns the increasing militarisation of the civic space, which has seen increasing use of excessive force by soldiers in matters that would have ordinarily been handled by the police.”