Gbajabiamila: FirstNews editor resigns over fear for life

The General Editor, FirstNews, Segun Olatunji, has resigned his position from the digital newspaper over fears for the safety of his life.

In his resignation letter addressed to the Publisher and Managing Director, First Media Network Limited, and dated, May 8, 2024 he noted that the development was prompted by the “Gbajabiamila story and the stance of the company’s management.”

Olatunji wrote, “Sir, Resignation as General Editor. In view of the latest development regarding the Gbajabiamila story and the stance of the company’s management, I hereby tender my resignation as the General Editor of First News.

“It has become imperative for me to resign my appointment for the safety of my person and my family.

“However, I want to state that in no distant time, the truth will come out and then it’ll be my word against theirs. I hope the management of First Media Network Limited, publishers of First News newspaper, will be magnanimous enough to fully settle the one year outstanding salaries I am being owed, in no time.

“I thank the company’s management for giving me the opportunity to contribute my quota to its operations in the past four years. Yours sincerely E-signed Segun Olatunji.”

Over a month ago, gunmen from the Defense Intelligence Agency abducted Olatunji, from his home in Lagos State.

Olatunji, a former Kaduna State correspondent of The PUNCH, was reportedly kidnapped on Friday by gunmen from his home in the Iyana Odo, Abule Egba area of the state.

In a statement, the management of the online newspaper linked the action to a recent story published by FirstNews titled, “Revealed: “Defence Chief running office like family business – Public Interest Lawyers”, published by many other online platforms.

The management also linked his abduction to another report titled, “EXCLUSIVE: How contractor, company stole N100bn, laundered funds for top govt officials – Investigation”, which was later pulled down.

The incident caused panic among the members of staff of the newspaper, the management said.

Olatunji’s wife was quoted as saying that the armed men numbering 10 arrived at their residence, a few minutes after 6 pm, and whisked her husband away.

She said her husband’s abductors reached for his phone and seized it immediately after they arrived before bundling him into a van.

Olatunji was, however, released several weeks after journalists and other Nigerians mounted pressure on the federal government.