Abducted Editor of First News Online Newspaper, Mr Segun Ọlatunji who regained freedom from military gulag after a 14-day gruelling ordeal, has narrated his close-shave-with-death experience in the underground cell of the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) to newsmen.
Since the past two weeks, the media space had been awashed with news of the arrest and abduction of Mr Olatunji by about 15 armed men in a gestapo-style operation at his residence at Iyana Odo, in the Abule Egba area of Lagos State.
His abduction was suspected to be linked to either one of two recent stories published on his online platform, titled: “ Revealed: Defence Chief Running Office like Family Business – Public Interest Lawyers, ” and “ Exclusive: How Contractor, Company Stole N100bn, Laundered Funds for Top Govt Officials – Investigation. ”
Until he regained his freedom early this morning, the Military had hitherto denied having the veteran journalist in their custody.
Speaking during an interview, the Ogun State-born journalist said his encounter was a close shave with death as he claimed he was held in captivity in an underground cell since the past two weeks.
Hear Mr Olatunji: “For 14 days I didn’t see the whiteness of the sky or sun. The Military Officers blind-folded me throughout until this morning when I was released.
“As per torture, I wasn’t beaten. But, my experience was very gruelling I was chained hands and legs. As you see me right now, I can say I fear for my future. My right hand that was chained with my right leg is already numb. I am not really sure if I can still do anything with my right hand again.
“The pains are too much. I am just praying my right hand won’t be useless. They deliberately did that to my hand. I still continue to wonder what exactly is my offence. They accused me of terrorism. “
Asked how his freedom came, Mr Olatunji said he was largely kept incommunicado in the underground cell throughout the 14-day period and knew nothing until some military officers came to knock his doors by midnight, asking him to invite any of his colleagues who could stand as Guarantor for him.
“I believe the pressure from media colleagues was so much to have compelled my abductors to release me without any further delay. They came into my cell around midnight.They eventually released me to my colleagues around 9am. But, they quickly remove my blindfold for the very first time in 14 days before my colleagues came”, he stressed.
Mr Olatunji was full of appreciation to members of the Fourth Estate of the Realm for their fraternal commitment and support. “I give all the glory to God Almighty”, he concluded.
