NHRC Urges Security Agencies To Find Missing Vanguard Reporter

The Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Tony Ojukwu on Tuesday, pleaded with the security agencies to as a matter of urgency, find out the whereabouts of Vanguard Newspapers journalist, Mr. Tordue Salem.

Mr.Tordue Salem, a journalist reporting for Vanguard Newspapers was declared missing on October 13, in Abuja.

NHRC Secretary in a statement on Tuesday expressed sadness over the news of the National Assembly Correspondent who has been missing for the past 14 days.

He said, there was no place for an enforced disappearance in modern history, describing the act as one of the worst human rights violations which leave the victims, family members and the society traumatized.

The NHRC, according to Ojukwu, stands for press freedom and will continue to advocate for the same, adding that a free press is important because people are able to express themselves in a constructive manner such that the views and concerns of ordinary people are also heard.

According to him, there is a need to do more in providing adequate security for everyone living in Nigeria, adding that, it was needless for the family members of the journalist to go searching for him in hospital mortuaries and police stations if the security situation and intelligence gathering was better.

He noted that enforced disappearance is one of the hazards associated with the practice of journalism in Nigeria.

He said journalists serve as the watchdogs of any society and should be allowed to do their work without harassment and intimidation

NHRC boss, while calling on the authorities to respect the rights of journalists, urged the journalists to always work within the ambit of the law and ethics of the profession.