NUJ, IPC Demands Thorough Investigation As Vanguard Journalist Covering National Assembly Goes Missing
Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and International Press Centre (IPC) have urged security agencies to locate missing Vanguard reporter, Tordue Salem.
Salem, a 43-year-old reporter from Benue state who covers the House of Representatives for the newspaper, was last seen in Garki district of the FCT on October 13 before his “alleged” disappearance.
His mysterious disappearance has caused fears and anxiety for his family and friends.
A statement by Emmanuel Ogbeche, NUJ FCT Chairman, and Ochiaka Ugwu, the Secretary, expressed deep concern about Salem’s disappearance.
“We have been on edge these past few days over the mysterious disappearance of our colleague and friend, Mr. Tordue Salem.
“It is worrying that an adult will vanish into thin air without a trace. This is unacceptable.
“We urge the police and DSS to rise up to the occasion and provide answers to this troubling situation”, the NUJ demanded.
Similarly, Conference of Benue Journalists (CBJ) has charged security agencies to take proactive measures to find Salem.
The President, Anule Emmanuel, in a statement, said the matter further confirms the deteriorating state of insecurity in Abuja and Nigeria.
Emmanuel noted that like other citizens, pressmen required full protection as they go about their lawful duties of informing members of the public.
CBJ noted;
We are shocked by the mysterious disappearance of our member and challenge the police and other security agencies to locate Salem.
The body conveyed sympathies to Salem’s family and called on Nigerians to keep him in their prayers.
On its part, IPC in a statement signed by its Executive Director, Lanre Arogundade, described the journalist’s disappearance as disconcerting.
He said the search for him should be accorded high priority by the police and other security agencies.
The statement reads;
Missing Vanguard Reporter: IPC demands thorough investigations
The International Press Centre (IPC), Lagos-Nigeris is seriously concerned about the sudden disappearance of Vanguard Newspaper’s House of Representatives Reporter, Mr. Tordue Salem since last Wednesday.
Mr. Salem was reportedly last sighted within the premises of a Total Filling Station, opposite the FCT, Abuja Police headquarters on Wednesday evening.
The Editor of Vanguard newspaper, Mr. Eze Anaba confirmed that Mr. Salem was yet to be seen as at this morning, Monday October 18, 2021.
IPC’s Executive Director, Mr. Lanre Arogundade, in a statement said that Salem’s disappearance is disconcerting and the search for him should be accorded high priority by the Police and other security agencies.
He added;
In a country where the rights of journalists and media professionals are continuously violated, concerted efforts by relevant stakeholders are necessary to ensure that Mr. Salem returns to his family and beat safely, and that the safety of other journalists and media professionals is guaranteed.
IPC therefore appeals to the government and the security agencies to do all within their powers to locate Journalist Salem.
Speaking on the development on phone, CP Babaji acknowledged that the matter was reported at the National Assembly Police Station and when he was briefed, he immediately ordered a radio alert to all police divisions and area commands to commence the search for the journalist.
“We are seriously on the matter. However, we have not received any information about any kidnap or demand for ransom.
My men have not received any information about any dead corpse either on the road or abandoned corpse from the mortuary. But we are seriously on the matter and searching” he said.
The CP said he was further made to understand that the journalist did not carry his car to the National Assembly complex on that Wednesday, hence there is a possibility he may have gone out with some other persons.
He however assured that the Police will not rest on its oars until the mystery surrounding the disappearance of the journalist is unravelled.
Also, a senior officer at the office of the Inspector General of Police when intimated with the development promised that the IGP will leave no stone unturned in getting at the root of the Vanguard journalists’ disappearance.
The senior officer said, “This matter is noted. We will trace and deal. Will do our possible best to assist the process of unravelling it all”.
