Members of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) on Monday, October 25, stormed the Nigeria Police Force’s headquarters in Abuja over the reporter, disappearance of Vanguard reporter, Tordue Henry Salem.
LIB reported that the journalist from Benue State, who is attached to the House of Representatives, had gone to a garden near the police headquarters in Garki area of the FCT on October 13 around 8pm and has been missing since then.
The Chairman of the Nigerian Union of Journalists, FCT chapter, Emmanuel Ogbeche, had earlier raised the alarm over Salem’s sudden and mysterious disappearance in front of the police headquarters.
“It is ridiculous that he went missing in front of the force headquarters and he has not been found or whether it was a case of abduction or not. We remain persuaded that this is not a case of kidnapping. Security agencies have a lot of answers to provide in this regard.” Ogbeche said.
Twelve days into Salem’s disappearance, NUJ members led by the chairman stormed the Louis Edet House in protest.
“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, Mr Tordue Salem,’ a statement signed by the union’s chairman, Ogbeche, and Secretary Ochiaka Ugwu said.
“It is worrying that an adult will simply vanish into thin air without a trace. This is unacceptable and we urge the police and DSS to rise up to the occasion and provide answers to this troubling situation.” he added.
Addresing the protesting journalists, Force Public Relations officer, Frank Mba, sympathised with the family of Salem and assured that efforts are ongoing to locate Mr Salem, adding that the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Usman Baba Alkali, is interested in the case.
He commended the NUJ for their efforts at locating their missing colleagues, saying all hands are on deck to rescue Salem safe and unhurt.
