Crime

JUST IN: Presidency Behind My Ordeal, Wants To Link Me With Terrorism – Freed FirstNews Editor Segun Olatunji reveals

Published

2 years ago

March 28, 2024

406 Views

***NGE, NUJ, IPI Nigeria Kicks, threatens to Approach Court

The released Editor of FirstNews Newspaper, Segun Olatunji, has on Thursday linked his abduction and detention by the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) to his stories published in the course of his journalism job.

Olatunji reveals that one of the stories he published titled, “How Gbajabiamila attempted to corner$30bn, 66 Houses Special Investigator traced to Sabiu”, published on January 29 2024 does not please some persons in the Presidency.

Ohibaba.com read through FirstNews website today and discovered that the story has not been pulled down, despite the controversy it generated.

Olatunji, a former Kaduna Bureau Chief of The PUNCH stated these during an emergency press conference organised by the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and International Press Institute (IPI Nigeria), few hours after his release from underground cell after 14 days.

While in the underground cell, Olatunji said he was stripped and were linking him with alleged terrorism.

Olatunji thanked those who supported him, including the Deputy Editor of The Nation, Yomi Odunuga, who signed the documents which aided his release process and Political Correspondent of Arise News, Friday Olokor, who championed the struggle for his freedom.

“I was at home with my son on Friday, March 15, watching ‘Journalists Hangout,’ when I noticed soldiers outside. My wife and my one year old child were also detained. An officer, who introduced himself as Colonel Lawal, approached me. I inquired about their reason for seeking me. He didn’t provide a clear answer, only stating they were from the military”, Olatunji continued.

He described how his encounter with the military spiraled into a series of events that included being blindfolded, flown to Abuja, and detained without charges.

According to him, after his phones were seized, his abductors took him to the Lagos Airport and waited for Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Aircraft, blindfolded and flown to Abuja.

The journalist said he found himself handcuffed, both hands and feet, and stripped of his belongings in the nation’s capital.

During his detention, Olatunji said he experienced physical discomfort due to excessively tight handcuffs, which led to numbness in his right hands and legs.

He said that while in detention, interrogations focused on specific stories published by FirstNews, especially those criticizing the Chief of Defense Intelligence and the Chief of Staff to the President (Femi Gbajabiamila).

“The first story was an accusation against the Chief of Defense Intelligence. I informed them that it was a general story, and they did not say much about it. They also inquired about a story we published regarding the Chief of Staff to the President. This was the major issue. This is why I had mentioned to some people earlier that those responsible for my arrest were individuals in the corridors of power, suggesting that these stories were the reason for my detention.

“It was evident that certain individuals in positions of power were unhappy with the work being done by FirstNews. And they want to link me with alleged terrorism”, he stated.

Olatunji’s wife, who witnessed the abduction, described the fear and confusion she felt as armed men took her husband from their home.

While the Publisher of FirstNews, Daniel Iworiso-Markson, and Olatunji’s colleagues and family endured days of uncertainty, the International Press Institute (IPI Nigeria), Nigeria Guild of Editors (NGE), and the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) diligently worked to locate Olatunji, confronting various government and security agencies.

Their efforts met with denials until a press statement by the IPI Nigeria and subsequent pressure on military officials led to acceptance by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris that he was with government and eventual release.

“According to the management of FirstNews, Mr. Olatunji’s abduction was linked to a recent story published by the media organization,” The President of IPI Nigeria, Musikilu Mojeed, said.

The leadership of the IPI, NGE, and NUJ criticized the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) for its actions, which they deemed anti-democratic and a potential threat to press freedom.

They called on President Bola Tinubu to reprimand those responsible.

The Secretary of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, Dr Iyobosa Uwugiaren, emphasized the importance of a free press.

He said, “If the press is not allowed to carry out its social and constitutional responsibilities but is instead subservient to power, it simply serves as an extension of power.”

Uwugiaren added that the media community would remain vigilant and plan to consult on further actions regarding this incident.

He explained that the outcry over Olatunji’s detention underscored ongoing concerns about press freedom and civil-military relations in Nigeria’s evolving democracy.

Related Topics:Featured FirstNews Editor Presidency

Up Next

Naval Chief, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla Lecturers participants Of 53rd Pakistan Navy Staff Course

Don't Miss

Aiyedatiwa Seeks Assembly’s Confirmation Of 12 New Commissioner Nominees

Click to comment

Crime

Police arrest 10 suspects over killing of Benue Miyetti Allah’s chairman

The MACBAN chairman and Yakubu Isa were reportedly ambushed and killed at Okudu community in Otukpo LGA on Friday, June 26, 2026 by armed men, while returning from a peace meeting called by the Divisional Police Officer, DPO, in the Idekpa, Ohimini LGA.

Published

1 day ago

June 28, 2026

OCHEFA

22 Views

The Benue State Police Command has declared that it arrested 10 suspects in connection with the killing of the Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) in Benue State, Ardo Risku Mohammed, and one Yakubu Isa.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Udeme Edet, confirmed the arrest, emphasing that the arrests marked significant progress in the investigation into the attack.

The suspects were apprehended on the night of June 27, 2026, during a coordinated operation by the Command’s tactical teams in Otukpo Local Government Area, following what police described as intensive intelligence gathering and tactical operations.

According to him, the suspects arrested were 25-year-old Titus Thyodenda, 20-year-old Utibe Sam, 18-year-old Owoicho Ameh, 21-year-old Sunday Useni, 46-year-old Sunday Useni, 46-year-old Sunday Ogbanje, 23-year-old Daniel Raphael, 24-year-old Adokole John, 32-year-old Samuel Ogazi, 25-year-old Agbo Daniel, and 30-year-old Onazi James.

Crime

Operation Whirl Stroke Troops Foil Terrorist Attack at Tor Donga Yam Market (Images)

Published

1 day ago

June 28, 2026

Charles Flames

34 Views

……Recover Arms and Ammunition

Troops of Operation Whirl Stroke, in collaboration with operatives of the Benue State Civil Protection Guard, on Sunday, 28 June 2026, neutralised two suspects and recovered their weapons at Tor Donga Yam Market in Benue State

A statement by the Acting Media Information Officer
HQ JTF Operation Whirl Stroke Lieutenant Ahmad Zubairu said the team received a distress call from the area.

He said on arrival, the troops made contact with the terrorists and engaged them decisively.

He named the two terrorists,as Dantaraba and Golozo who were neutralised.

Following the operation, troops recovered one AK-47 rifle, one AK-47 magazine, one damaged pistol, one pistol magazine, six rounds of 7.62 mm NATO ammunition, nine rounds of 9 mm pistol ammunition, one ATM card, one Moniepoint ATM card amongst other sundry items.

The successful operation ensured the continued safety of traders and residents, allowing socio-economic activities at Tor Donga Yam Market to proceed without disruption or fear of terrorist attacks.

The Force Commander, Joint Task Force Operation WHIRL STROKE, Major General Moses Gara, commended the troops for their professionalism, resilience and swift response, which prevented what could have resulted in significant civilian casualties and disruption of commercial activities. The cooperation of the Civil Protection Guards was also commended in ridding Benue State of criminality.

Major General Gara also expressed appreciation to members of the public for promptly providing credible information. He urged residents to sustain the cooperation with security agencies, stressing that security remains a collective responsibility.

Crime

Benue Governor Alia Condemns Killing of MACBAN Chairman, Orders Immediate Investigation

Published

3 days ago

June 27, 2026

Charles Flames

54 Views

Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State has expressed deep shock and sadness over the killing of Alhaji Ardo Risku, the Benue State Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), and his friend.

In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Tersoo Kula, the Governor described the incident as a heinous act that occurred at a critical time when the state is making significant progress toward peace and stability across various local government areas.

Governor Alia views the killing not merely as a personal tragedy but as a deliberate attempt to undermine the hard-earned peace and ongoing reconciliation efforts his administration has been fostering.

“It is deeply regrettable that this unfortunate incident occurred shortly after a security meeting,” the Governor noted. He emphasized that the murder of any community leader or peace advocate represents a serious setback to the dialogue between various stakeholders in the state.

In response, Governor Alia issued firm directives to all relevant security agencies:

To immediately launch a thorough and transparent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the killing.
To leave no stone unturned in identifying and apprehending the perpetrators, bringing them to justice swiftly to deter others seeking to destabilize the state.
To enhance security measures to better protect community leaders involved in security and peace-building initiatives.

The Governor urged members of MACBAN and the general public to remain calm and law-abiding, warning against allowing agents of chaos to incite further violence.

“We must not allow those who profit from chaos to succeed in inciting further violence or disrupting the peace we have taken time to build,” Alia said.

He extended his heartfelt condolences to the family of Alhaji Ardo Risku and the entire MACBAN community.

“Our administration remains resolute: Benue is a home for peace, and we will not allow the shadows of the past to eclipse the bright future we are currently building,” the statement concluded.