Missing Vanguard Reporter
On October 17, 2021, Vanguard newspaper’s House of Representatives reporter, Mr. Tordue Salem, was declared missing in Abuja. The last time Tordue was said to have been seen was the evening of October 13, 2021 around the Total Filling Station, opposite the Police headquarters. He has since then not been seen again.
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) FCT Council, has therefore tasked security agencies, the police and the Department of State Services (DSS) to help unravel the mystery surrounding Tordue’s disappearance.
In a statement released on October 17 by the NUJ FCT Council, signed by its Chairman, Emmanuel Ogbeche and Secretary, Ochiaka Ugwu, the Council said the journalist has not been seen, heard from, or reached since October 13.
They said “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”.
Speaking on the development, FCT Commissioner of Police, Mr Babaji Sunday, acknowledged that the matter has been 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.
The Commissioner of Police 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 abandoned corpse from the mortuary. But we are seriously on the matter and searching.”
He assured that the Police will not rest on its oars until the mystery surrounding the disappearance of the journalist is unraveled.
