The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has demanded the Nigerian Army ensure the safety of Segun Olatunji, First News editor, who was arrested on Friday.

The CPJ, in its statement on Thursday, also asked that the military reveal the identities of the officers who arrested Olatunji and disclose any charges they have against him.

These officers, about 15 of them, arrested the journalist from his home in Lagos without explanation and drove him away in unmarked vehicles.

“The Nigerian military should swiftly and publicly account for the whereabouts of First News editor Segun Olatunji, who was taken by armed men identifying themselves as officers with the army, disclose any charges against him, and ensure his safety,” CPJ’s statement read in part.

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“On March 15, around 15 armed men in two unmarked vans arrived at Olatunji’s home in Alagbado, a community in Nigeria’s western Lagos state.

“The men, two of whom wore military-style uniforms, introduced themselves as officers of the Nigerian army and forced Olatunji to come with them without explanation. Abiodun Oluwakemi, his wife, also said that she pleaded with the men not to take her husband.”

The committee stated that three days before Olatunji’s arrest, some armed men had approached a local security guard and showed him a picture of Olatunji, demanding his location.

“Three days before he was taken, armed men approached a local security guard and showed him a photo of Olatunji, asking for his whereabouts. When the guard could not provide sufficient details, the men instructed him to use his phone to call a number they provided,” Angela Quintal, CPJ Africa Programme Head, said.

“The number connected to Oluwakemi’s phone, and the guard asked her questions about admission to a local university, which made no sense.

“She was confused and bothered by the call and, after contacting him again, learned from the security guard that the armed men had followed him over the days between making him place the call and Olatunji being taken.”

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“Olatunji’s arrest by armed men identifying themselves as officers with the Nigerian army is totally unacceptable. Nigerian authorities must ensure his safety and swiftly clarify the reasons for his detention. The seizure of journalists from their homes is behaviour reminiscent of an era in Nigerian history when the military ran the country and has no place in a modern democracy,”

Media reports speculate that Olatunji’s arrest might have been caused by a report accusing an official working with the Nigeria Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA), which is under Nigeria’s Ministry of Defence, of failing to fairly allocate public contracts.