The Nigerian Press Organisation, NPO, and its affiliate organs have condemned the militarisation of the civic space, which has seen increasing use of excessive force by soldiers in matters that would have ordinarily been handled by the police.
Giving an update on the abduction and torture of Mr Segun Olatunji, the President of the NPO who doubles as the President Newspapers Proprietors Association of Nigeria, Malam Kabiru Yusuf said the matter has been referred to the National Media Complaints Commission, the Media Ombudsman for further action.
The update by the NPO reads: “In response to concerns expressed by the Nigerian Press Organisation, NPO, , the Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria, BON, and Civil Society Partners, on the abduction of the General Editor of FirstNews newspapers, Mr. Segun Olatunji, and a demand on the government for accountability, the Defence Intelligence Agency, requested a meeting with the NPO, BON and the Civil Society Partners on April 14.2024.
“The military authorities said they acted to forestall a potential threat to national security and would have reported the matter to the National Media Complaints Commission – The National Media Ombudsman – if they had been aware of its existence.
“After considering this disposition towards the Ombudsman, the NPO, BON and the Civil Society Partners have decided after reviewing the outcome of the April 14 meeting, to refer the matter to the Ombudsman for adjudication.
“The report of the Ombudsman process would be made public.
“We hope that the parties concerned will seize this opportunity to settle the matter in the interest of law, order and respect for the provisions of Nigeria’s constitution.
“Besides, the specific issue of Olatunji, the group condemns the increasing militarisation of the civic space, which has seen increasing use of excessive force by soldiers in matters that would have ordinarily been handled by the police.”
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