Coalition of South East Youth Leaders (COSEYL), an
umbrella body of all the youth groups in the South East geopolitical zone expressed shock at the sudden disappearance of Tordue Salem a Vanguard Newspaper reporter that covers the Federal House of Representatives.
Salem was last seen on Wednesday last week, October 13, and since then, he has neither been seen nor heard, a development that has generated tension among journalists and Nigerians.
In a statement on Tuesday which was signed by the President General of the Coalition, Hon. Goodluck Egwu Ibem and obtained by CAPITAL POST in Abuja, the group described the disappearance of the correspondent as unacceptable and demanded that he should be produced within 7 days.
The statement reads: “This kind of story is totally unacceptable to us and we demand that the Inspector General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba and other security agencies “must” fine Tordue Salem and hand him over to his family within the next 7 working days.
“These 7 days ultimatum given by us to the IGP and other security agencies to fine Salam is not negotiable. The IGP must prove his mettle by bringing back Salem to his family . No form of excuse will be entertained. The IGP and other security agencies must fine Salem immediately.
“The duties of Journalists in our society can not be overemphasized. Journalists ensure possibility of a good society, an accountable democracy, and a transparent government.
“Any form of attack on any journalist is an attack on the entire society. They are the backbone of our democracy and any attack on them is an attack against all Nigerians and non-Nigerians.
“Without any equivocation, which state that we will not tolerate any form of intimidation, harassment against journalists in Nigeria.
“The Federal Government, the state governments and all security agencies must ensure the safety of journalists in the discharge of their legitimate duties. We don’t want to hear that a journalist is missing next time.
“All Nigerians must ensure that no harm no matter how little befalls a journalist. They are the hope and only channel through which the people can be updated about was is happening in our society.
“We call on President Muhammadu Buhari who is the commander-in-chief of the Armed forces, The President of the Senate, His Excellency Dr. Ahmad Lawan, the Speaker Federal House of Representatives Rt. Hon.Femi Gbajabiamila to activate all necessary machinery to ensure that everything is done to ensure the save return of Tordue Salem.
“If we don’t see Tordue Salem after 7 working days, we will stage a one million man protest until we see Tordue Salem return safely to his family. The time has started counting.”
