By Kassim Omomia
The Police said yesterday that it has interrogated six persons in connection with the missing Vanguard Newspaper’s National Assemby correspondent, Tordue Salem
Force Public Relations Officer, Frank Mba, a Commissioner of Police , disclosed to protesting Journalist in Abuja ,that the Police have interrogated at least six persons and traced the places the missing Journalist visited after he left National Assembly
“We have interrogated at least six persons and we have traced the places he visited after he left National Assembly” the FPRO said.
Mba explained that investigation was in progress and there was need to maintain silence in order not to jeopardise ongoing process.
He narrated the steps taken so far by the police on the matter and assured that the police has deployed all the necessary assets in its probe into the missing Journalist
“We are as concerned as journalists and members of the family. We have commenced investigation and we have done everything humanly and technologically possible to ensure he is being found.
” We have spoken with the last person he had encounter with. We are imploring members of the family, public and journalists that this is an active investigations. We have a choice not to speak as not to jeopardise our investigation. This has explained our silence over the time”
Earlier, Chairman of the Council, Comrade Emmanuel Ogbeche who led the protest march to the the Force headquarters, while submitting a formal petition on behalf of the union, called on the Inspector General of Police,Usman Alkali Baba to step up Intelligence and investigation in order to unravel the mysterious disappearance of Mr. Salem
He expressed disappointment over the slow approach by the police in investigating the matter since it was formally reported at National Assembly police station weeks back
The Council’s Chair who appraised the unfriendly Nigerian environment in which Journalists conducted their profession, noted that their safety can no longer be guaranteed despite their constitutional role and responsibility as society watchdog and to hold Government accountable to the people
He said, ” It is regrettable to note that 12 days after Mr. Tordue Henry Salem DISAPPEARED, nothing much has happened to indicate whether he is alive or dead; whether he is held captive of the State, a non-state actors or an alien.
” The IGP, it is relevant that we remind you that the State owes every Nigerian, particularly a journalist, protection and assurance of safety. Nigeria has continued to fare badly on the Press Freedom Index for six successive years and it will be most unfortunate if the DISAPPEARNCE of Mr. Tordue Henry Salem adds to the poor rating. In 2020, a report of Reporters Without Borders shows that Nigeria went five spots down the Press Freedom Index from 115 to 120 out of 180 countries, with the telling remark that Nigeria remains “one of West Africa’s most dangerous and difficult countries for journalists.”
Continuing, he added ‘Also, a June 2021 report of the Nigeria Union of Journalists and Media Foundation for West Africa revealed that the media industry recorded seven unresolved killings, 300 violations, affecting about 500 journalists, media workers, and media houses in Nigeria.
” What all these underscore is that the prevailing environment is unsafe, suffocating and dangerous not just for journalists and other media workers but for the sustenance of democracy itself ”
Ogbeche demanded that Mr Salem’s case be transferred to a Special Unit in the IGP’ office, adding that the manner in which he disappeared demands a highly tactical, focused and coordinated Unit under the Office of the IGP..
He also demanded for confidential briefing with the missing Journalist’s family, leadership of the union and the Vanguard Newspapers so as to reduce apprehension.
Mr Tordue Henry Salem, a House of Representatives correspondent with Vanguard Newspapers was last seen on Wednesday, October 13, 2021 and has remained missing since then