The Nigerian Press Organisation (NPO), the Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria (BON) and Civil Society Partners, have promised to make public the report of The National Media Ombudsman on the abduction of the General Editor of FirstNews newspapers, Mr. Segun Olatunji, by the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA).
After some concerns expressed on the abduction of the General Editor of FirstNews newspapers, Mr. Segun Olatunji, and a demand on the government for accountability, the DIA, in a meeting on April 14, 2024 with the NPO, BON and Civil Society Partners, the military authorities said the action was to forestall a potential threat to national security.
In a statement made available to Blueprint, DIA said they would have reported the matter to the National Media Complaints Commission (NMCC) – The National Media Ombudsman – if they had been aware of its existence.
The statement further said: “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.”
