Coalition of civil society organizations under the umbralla of body of all the youth groups in the South East has issued the Inspector General of Police, IGP, Usman Baba and other security agencies in the country 7 days ultimatum to find Vanguard Newspapers National Assembly Reporter, Tordue Salem.
The coalition, ‘Coalition of South East Youth Leaders {COSEYL) threatened to stage a one-million-man protest should the security failed to bring back Salem and reunite him with his family.
This was contained in a statement signed by its COSEYL President General, Hon. Goodluck Egwu Ibem and made available to Journalists in Abuja.
The group also appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari, President of the Senate, Ahmed Lawan and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila to activate the necessary machinery in finding the missing Journalist.
The statement read; “Coalition of South East Youth Leaders, COSEYL, the umbrella body of all the youth groups in the South East geopolitical zone received with rude shock the news of the sudden disappearance of Tordue Salem a Vanguard Newspaper reporter that covers the Federal House of Representatives who was seen, heard from or reach since October 13, 2021.
“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” find 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 find 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 find Salem immediately.
“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 safe 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”.
The journalist who was last seen on Wednesday, October 13, 2021, could not be reached on his mobile phone.
Salem was the National Assembly (House of Representatives) correspondent for the newspaper.
His mysterious disappearance has caused fears and anxiety for his family and friends.
The Commissioner of Police for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Babaji Sunday, while reacting to the development said operatives of the Command were working round the clock find Tordue.
CP Babaji acknowledged that the matter was reported at the National Assembly Police Station and when he was briefed, he immediately ordered a radio alert to all police divisions and area commands to commence the search for the journalist.
“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 corpse either on the road or abandoned corpse from the mortuary. But we are seriously searching,” he said.
The CP said he was further made to understand that the journalist left his car at the National Assembly Complex on the day he went missing, hence there is a possibility he may have gone out with some other persons.
He, however, assured that the police will do everything they can to find him.
Also, a senior officer at the office of the Inspector General of Police, said efforts were being made to locate Tordue.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCT Council, has called on security agencies to be decisive and unravel the mystery surrounding the whereabouts of the journalist.
A statement signed by Emmanuel Ogbeche and Ochiaka Ugwu, Chairman and Secretary, respectively read, “For all us as 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 the Department of State Services (DSS) to rise up to the occasion and provide answers to this troubling situation,”
“The NUJ officials called fellow journalists to remain hopeful, prayerful and offer any leads that could prove useful in resolving the impasse.”
