In a fervent appeal to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, human rights activist Comrade Adeniyi Alimi Sulaiman has demanded the immediate and unconditional release of Mr. Segun Olatunji, Editor of FirstNews Newspaper.
Sulaiman condemned Olatunji’s illegal arrest and continued detention, allegedly orchestrated by members of the Nigerian Armed Forces, over a publication critical of their conduct.
Sulaiman, Executive Chairman of the Centre for Human Rights and Social Justice (CHRSJ), denounced Olatunji’s arrest as “barbaric, undemocratic, unconstitutional, illegal, evil, and a crime against God and humanity.”
He called on defenders of freedom of speech and democracy to vehemently denounce this assault on democratic principles and uphold the sanctity of media freedom.
Sulaiman accused the Nigerian Armed Forces of acting as enemies of democracy, if truly soldiers were behind Olatunji’s arrest as is being speculated.
He, therefore, urged President Tinubu to address this affront to press freedom, emphasizing that the perpetrators sought to malign Tinubu’s government as hostile to the Nigerian media.
Highlighting Olatunji’s significant contributions to the media landscape, Sulaiman praised him as a seasoned journalist who played a pivotal role in the struggle for democracy in Nigeria.
He underscored the importance of protecting journalists and ensuring they can carry out their duties without fear of persecution.
Sulaiman also condemned the recent killing of 17 military officers in Delta State, describing it as an “animalistic act” that warrants justice.
He urged President Tinubu’s government to swiftly apprehend the perpetrators and bring them to justice.
Warning against any attempts to stifle press freedom, Sulaiman emphasized that the lovers of democracy would resist any efforts to revert to the dark days of military rule.
He called for Olatunji’s immediate release and urged President Tinubu to intervene decisively to uphold the principles of democracy and free speech.
Olatunji, Editor of FirstNews and a former Kaduna correspondent of The PUNCH, was reportedly abducted from his home in Lagos State by gunmen disguised in military uniforms. The abduction followed a news story linking military aofficers to alleged misconduct.
Sulaiman’s impassioned plea underscores the critical importance of defending press freedom and upholding human rights in Nigeria’s democratic journey.