By Shishang John
March 28, 2024
The emergency press briefing by the leadership of Nigeria Guild of Editors (NGE), Nigeria Union of Journalist (NUJ) and International Press Institute (IPI) held on Thursday at the NUJ FCT Council, Utako Abuja with the professional media bodies officials together in a sitting with the released Editor of First News, Segun Olatunji and fellow journalist.
The press Statement with the caption ” Let’s Protect Free Press, let’s Protect our Democracy against military Misconduct” was read by the spoke person of the press conference Mr Eze Anoba President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors
” Gentlemen of the press. we thank you so much for honoring our invitation in spite of the short notice. the invitation by the leaderships of the international press institute (IPI) the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) and the Nigeria Union of Journalist (NUJ) was sent out late last night. And we are encouraged by your turnout and solidarity.
” The IPI the NGE and the NUJ called this joint press conference to update members of the public on the ordel of our colleagues the Editor of the First News, Segun Olatunji, who armed people we earlier thought were non-state actors abducted from his home in Lagos on March 15.
Mr Eze Anaba read through the press release in details and hand over the mic to Chris Isiguzo ( President of NUJ)
Mr Christ Isiguzo who is the current President of the Nigerian Union of Journalist (NUJ) expressed his sadness and discomfort over the Nigerian military misconduct during the incidence of the First News Editor Mr Olatunjis abduction. He said ” for days the leadership of the IPI, the NGE, and the NUJ frantically search for Mr Olatunjis. we interacted with the presidency, the Nigerian Army, the Defence Headquarters, the office of the National security Adviser, the ministry of Information and National Orientation and the State Security Service (SSS) other security agencies were also contacted. But all the efforts failed until last night the military claimed the journalist was in their custody. they lied to us and top Government officials whose interventions we sought. He further appreciate the Minister of information and other top officials of Government on the important role the played towards the resolution of the matter.
The President of International Press Institute IPI, Misikilu Mojeed Encouraged journalist to be conscious of what they do. He said ” Journalist should be confident to protect themselves, you have to be more vigilant in your practice. We need to continue to hold each other hands and stand firm when the right of a journalist is violated. I want to appeal to the press to remain United”.
In a statement released by the press said, ” The unacceptable action by the DIA is alien to Nigeria’s democracy space. It is now clear that there are some officers in our military who are still finding it difficult to subject themselves to civil authority 24 years after our country returned to representative Governance. We do not think this kind of attitude should be condoned by President Bola Tinubu, particularly and Nigerians, in general. If officers in a military institute like DIA could disobey senior officials of the Federal Government, then our democracy can not be said to be safe”.
More so, journalists in attendance asked Olatunji questions base on his ordeal during his detention with the DIA.
Mr Fred from Arise news asked “as at the time that they called yomi to come and sign the document for your release, what were the conditions that were spelt out to which he signed. Secondly given the cicumstances on which you were picked, was there anything spectacular you witnessed.”
Mr. Yomi responded that they asked if he would be willing to bring him to court upon request and he agreed and thumbprinted.
