The Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Tony Ojukwu, has called on the Nigerian Police and other law enforcement agencies to do everything within their powers to locate Tordue Salem, a journalist who reportedly went missing on October 13, 2021, in Abuja.
Ojukwu, who expressed sadness over the news of the National Assembly Correspondent who has been missing for the past fourteen days, added that there is 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.
A statement by the Commission said, 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.
The NHRC, according to Ojukwu, stands for press freedom and will continue to advocate same, pointing out 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.
He said journalists serve as the watchdogs of any society and should be allowed to do their work without harassment and intimidation
Ojukwu noted that enforced disappearance is one of the hazards associated with the practice of journalism in Nigeria, and called on the authorities to respect the rights of journalists.
He further urged journalists to always work within the ambit of the law and ethics of the profession.
