An Abuja-based reporter of Vanguard, Tordue Salem, who went missing last month, has been found dead.
The newspaper disclosed this in a report, saying details of the circumstances surrounding the recovery of his corpse were sketchy.
The deceased was a National Assembly correspondent of the newspaper, who covered the House of Representatives.
“Late Salem who was covering the House of Representatives, was last seen on October 13, 2021. After the close of work that day, he was said to have alighted from a cab at Total filling station, close to the Force headquarters, and headed for B.J’s garden, in the company of a female relative” – the Newspaper wrote in its report..
Some persons have reportedly been arrested in connection with his disappearance. Among then is one Prince Enyenihi, who was said to have contacted the deceased’s wife to demand a N100 million ransom.
“If you don’t pay, Tordue will be killed in seven days. For more information, call this number,” Enyenihi was said to have said in a text message sent to Salem’s wife.
NewsWireNGR recalls that, the Nigerian Senate had charged the Inspector-General of Police IGP), Usman Alkali, to investigate the circumstances leading to the disappearance of Tordue Salem, an Abuja-based journalist.
This followed the adoption of a point of order by Orker-Jev Emmanuel Yisa (Benue- North), during Tuesday’s plenary in Abuja.
Citing order 42 and 52 of the Senate Rules, Mr Yisa noted that Mr Salem, before his disappearance, was a journalist with the Vanguard newspaper covering the House of Representatives.
“On October 13 between 8-9pm, Salem went missing and all phone contact with him ceased,” he said.
He said that efforts by his family, friends and colleagues to trace his whereabouts proved abortive.
He, however, expressed optimism that the intervention of the Senate might persuade the police to get to the root of the matter.
Also, the House of Representatives had during plenary, urged all security agencies in the country to investigate and find Mr Salem.
The resolution was a sequel to a unanimous adoption of an Urgent Motion of Public Importance raised by Ndudi Elumelu (PDP-Delta) at the plenary on Tuesday.
Earlier, Mr Elumelu had mentioned that Mr Tordue reported for work on the fateful day and was last seen in Garki District before his sudden disappearance.
