The Conference of Benue Journalists (CBJ) has urged security agencies to locate missing journalist Tordue Salem.

President of the group, Emmanuel Anule, made the plea in a statement issued on Monday in Abuja.

He said Mr Salem, a senior reporter with the Vanguard Newspapers, had not been seen since last Wednesday.

Mr Anule said the case of Mr Salem, who covers the House of Representatives, was a call for security agencies to step up their responsibility of protecting lives and property.

“Like every other citizen, journalists in Abuja and indeed the country at large, require full protection while going about their lawful duty of informing members of the public without fear of molestation, intimidation, and harassment.

“Members of CBJ are shocked by the mysterious disappearance of our colleague, an adult,” he stated.

The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Abuja, through its chairman Emmanuel Ogbeche, and secretary Ochiaka Ugwu, had on Sunday tasked security agencies in the FCT to locate Mr Salem.

Mr Salem, a native of Tiv from Benue, was reportedly sighted in the evening of the day he was said to have disappeared.

“All of the journalists in Abuja have been on edge these past few days over the mysterious disappearance of our colleague and friend, Salem.

“It is worrying that an adult will simply vanish into the thin air, without a trace.

“This is unacceptable. We, therefore, urge the police and DSS to rise to the occasion and provide answers to this troubling situation,” the statement read.

(NAN)