FirstNews editor, Mr. Segun Olatunji, who has just been released from illegal detention by the Defence Intelligence Agency, DIA, has declared that the outcries of friends, professional colleagues and family members saved his life.
Olatunji made the declaration on Sunday in a Facebook post.
He said the outcries by all put an end to the antics of his abductors.
He described the abductors as those who were yet to come to terms with democratic reality as opposed to military dictatorship.
Olatunji thanked everyone who condemned his abduction for the solidarity, especially the Nigerian Guild of Editors, NGE; International Press Institute, IPI, and the Nigerian Union of Journalists, NUJ.
“You all went the extra mile to rescue me!”
His post reads in full:
“Your outcries saved my life!
Memories of the series of events from March 15 to March 28, 2024 still remain as shocking as they are unnerving. You, my friends, professional colleagues and family members however remain the heroes. You put an abrupt end to the surreptitious macabre dance started by some persons yet to come to terms with our democratic reality, as you snatched me from the trap set by these powerful persons! You’ve all done noble by raising your voices in unison to save me -your friend, colleague and loved one – from what would have turned out to be another case of “unknown soldiers” wreaking havoc and going away scot free.
“You all went the extra mile to rescue me!
“My family and I, particularly those children who would have been rendered fatherless, therefore remain eternally grateful to you all for standing up to that miniscule but powerful section of our society still taking pride in the exhibition of tyrannical and undemocratic tendencies.
“To the NUJ, NGE and IPI, saying we’re eternally grateful is an understatement. May Almighty God continue to keep us all together in love and shower His blessings on us all. Amen!
“E seun modupe pupo pupo.”