Journalists urge security agencies to locate missing colleague

Journalists urge security agencies to locate missing colleague

Oct. 18, 2021

The Conference of Benue Journalists (CBJ) has urged the security agencies in the country to take proactive measures in locating Mr Tordue Salem, a journalist that was declared missing.

Emmanuel Anule, the President of  the group made the plea in a statement issued on Monday in Abuja.

He said Salem, a Senior Reporter with the Vangaurd Newspapers, who covers the House of Representatives had neither been seen nor reached since last Wednesday.

Anule expressed worries that the case of Salem was a call for security agencies to step up their responsibility of protecting lives and property.

“Like every other citizen, journalists in Abuja and indeed the country at large, require full protection while going about their lawful duties of informing members of the public without fear of molestation, intimidation, and harassment.

“Members of CBJ are shocked by the mysterious disappearance of our colleague, an adult.”

The CBJ president urged journalists and family members of Salem to be prayerful and remain calm as security agencies continued to work to establish his whereabouts.

The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Abuja chapter, through Mr Emmanuel Ogbeche and Mr Ochiaka Ugwu, its Chairman and Secretary respectively, had on Sunday, also tasked security agencies in the FCT to be decisive in locating Salem.

Salem, a native of Tiv from Benue, was reportedly sighted in the evening of the day after which he seemed to have disappeared.

The NUJ tasked the police and DSS to unravel the mystery surrounding Salem’s whereabouts.

“For all of us journalists in Abuja, we have been on edge these past few days over the mysterious disappearance of our colleague and friend, Salem.

“It is worrying that an adult will simply varnish into the thin air, without a trace.

“This is unacceptable, we therefore, urge the police and DSS to rise up to the occasion and provide answers to this troubling situation.

The NUJ also pleaded with fellow journalists to remain hopeful, prayerful and offer any leads that could prove useful in resolving the impasse. (NAN)