We don’t abduct Journalists – Military speaks on FirstNews Editor kidnap

Maj. Gen. Edward Buba, the Director of Defence Media Operations, has categorically denied any involvement of the military in the abduction of journalists.

During a press briefing at Defence Headquarters on Thursday, a statement was made regarding the “kidnap” of Segun Olatunji, Editor of FirstNews Online Newspaper.

TopNaija reports that the detained Editor was released on Thursday, following intense pressure on the military authorities.

We earlier reported how, on March 15, 2024, a group of armed individuals wearing military uniforms forcefully entered Olatunji’s residence and abducted him.

A military officer, however, confirmed the release of Olatunji to the Secretary of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, Iyobosa Uwugiaren of Thisday Newspapers, and Yomi Odunuga of The Nation Newspapers in Abuja.

At the Defence Headquarters briefing, Buba said, “What I can tell you is that the military does abduct journalists, it is not known for that.”

The International Press Institute, the Nigeria Guild of Editors, and Olatunji’s employers had in separate statements, faulted his incarceration, asking authorities to either release the editor or charge him to court.