Missing Vanguard Reporter’s Death: NUJ Kicks, Rejects Police Report

• Demands independent inquiry; insists Tordue Salem’s autopsy will reveal more

BY VICTOR BUORO, ABUJA – Shocked by the Nigeria Police announcement that the missing Vanguard Newspapers reporter, Tordue Salem has been confirmed dead, the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCT Council has challenged the Federal Government to impanel an independent probe into circumstances surrounding the unfortunate incident.

Salem, who covered the House of Representatives, went missing on Wednesday, October 13, 2021 in Abuja, the nation’s capital, and was reported dead on Thursday, November 11, 2021, by the Police and Vanguard newspaper, his employers for several years.

According to the NUJ, the death of Mr. Salem was not only shocking but quite disturbing, especially as the account of the police was not in sync with credible investigations.

A statement in Abuja, jointly signed by Comrade Emmanuel Ogbeche and Ochiaka Ugwu, Chairman and Secretary of Council, said; “The death of Mr. Tordue Salem opens another dark chapter for journalism and journalists in Nigeria and we are grievously saddened by it

“While the NUJ appreciates the effort of the police in finding the corpse of Mr. Salem, as a Union, we are not persuaded by the account of the police as it poses more questions than answers.”

The statement further stated thus; “It is in this regard that we urge President Muhammadu Buhari to order for an independent inquiry into the tragic end of Mr. Tordue.

“The NUJ also demands an independent autopsy so as to allay the fears of thousands of journalists and citizens across the country that indeed the late Mr. Tordue was a victim of a hit and run driver.”

In the NUJ’s view; “The very fact that the family of the deceased, as well as the leadership of the union, were not contacted prior to the public announcement of the finding of his corpse remains suspicious as well as the identity of whoever deposited it at the morgue.”

The statement expressed fears that without concrete action and ensuring those responsible for the dastardly act are brought to book, more journalists will be in grave danger, noting that the development is capable of further weakening democratic ethos and the ability to hold the government accountable.

While calling for robust action to ensure the protection of journalists, the NUJ demanded urgent action at repealing laws currently being used to prosecute media practitioners, adding; “The NUJ is deeply concerned that the space for press freedom is fast shrinking, with the authority and political officeholders using draconian laws as well as new measures to silence critical voices and independent media”.

Additionally, the Union cited rising threats to press freedom to include authority and political officeholders to harass journalists by smearing critical coverage as fake news and new laws related to digital communication, which would effectively silence journalists from holding the government accountable to the people.

The Union, therefore, called on the international community to focus on Nigeria and help in bringing to account all those responsible for media abuse, intimidation, harassment, and even murder in the country.