- CP says round the clock hunt ongoing over his whereabouts
- Area Commanders, DPOs get marching orders
- NUJ demands decisive action on ‘missing’ journalist
BY EDMOND ODOK – The Commissioner of Police in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Babaji Sunday, says the Command is working round the clock to unknot the whereabouts of missing Vanguard reporter, Tordue Henry Salem, last seen on Wednesday, October 13, 2021, in Abuja.
Reports said Tordue’s last known location was around the Total Filling Station, near the Police headquarters in Garki area of the nation’s Capital on Wednesday around 8 pm, and has since remained incommunicado, raising concerns in his office and among colleagues.
According to the reports, Tordue, who is attached to the House of Representatives, visited a garden that is within the Garki vicinity, and a close colleague, who preferred anonymity, hinted that his phone line has been switched off.
“He visited a garden near the force headquarters; we have been there and we went to the Garki Hospital and searched a lot of places, but we have yet to find him. We have reported the case to the Department of State Services (DSS) and the police.
“His line has been switched off since Wednesday. Neither his family nor colleagues have been contacted for a ransom”, the colleague said.
However, commenting on the development, the FCT Police Commissioner, Babaji said the matter was reported at the National Assembly Police Station and a radio alert was immediately sent across to all Police divisions and Area Commands to search for the missing reporter
The Police boss said, “We are seriously on the matter. However, we have not received any information about any kidnap or demand for ransom. My men have not received any information about any dead corpse either on the road or an abandoned corpse from the mortuary. But we are seriously on the matter and searching.”
He stated that information with the Police indicates that Tordue did not go to the National Assembly complex on that Wednesday with his car, hence the possibility of having gone out with some other persons.
CP Babaji however assured that the Police will stop at nothing in ensuring the mystery surrounding the journalists’ disappearance is unraveled.
NUJ charges security agencies on troubling situation
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCT Council, has tasked security agencies in the nation’s capital, Abuja, to be decisive in locating Tordue.
The Tiv native reportedly was sighted on the evening on the day he was last seen after which he seemed to have disappeared.
In a statement signed by Emmanuel Ogbeche and Ochiaka Ugwu, Chairman and Secretary respectively, on Sunday, the NUJ urged the Police and DSS to unravel the mystery surrounding the journalist’s whereabouts.
“For all 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.
“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,” the statement said
The Council called fellow journalists to remain hopeful, prayerful and offer any leads that could prove useful in resolving the impasse.
