Hit-and-run driver killed missing journalist - Police

The police has revealed how missing Vanguard reporter, Tordue Henry Salem, who was recently found dead barely one month after his disappearance died.

According to the authorities, the journalist was killed by a hit-and-run driver identified as Itoro Clement.

CP Frank Mba, the Force Public Relations Officer, confirmed the development on Friday, November 12, The Nation reports.

, Tordue Salem  Photo credit: Gbenga Awe, Abahuraira Muhd Mainasara Source: Facebook

Mba said the driver has, however, been apprehended. He made this known while parading the suspect at the Police Intelligence Responce Team (IRT) premises, Guzape, Abuja.

The police spokesman noted that Salem’s body was discovered at the Wuse General Hospital.

In a similar report by Channels TV, Itoro confessed to having knocked off someone at about 10:00 pm the same day Salem went missing around Mabushi area in Abuja.

The 29-year-old explained that he did not stop to check on the pedestrian because he was afraid of being attacked by armed robbers as the area where the accident took place is known for criminal activities.

According to the driver, he thought the person he had knocked down was an armed robber until a smashed phone was found on his windscreen.

Salem worked as a correspondent covering the National Assembly especially the House of Representatives before his disappearance and death.

This development is coming hours after the Vanguard journalist was found dead. The remains of Salem were recovered on Thursday, November 11, in Abuja, two-days short of one month since his disappearance.

A suspect, Prince Enyenihi, was arrested in connection with the disappearance and possibly, the death of Salem.

Enyenihi, 25, was said to have tried to extort money from Salem's family after his disappearance on October 13.

In a previous report by some newspapers, lawmakers of the National Assembly had called on the IGP to institute a special investigation into the disappearance of Salem.

In a point of order, Senator Orker-Jev Emmanuel Yisa of Benue northwest senatorial district told the Senate at the plenary that Salem had been missing since October 13.

He also said that it should be noted that if a journalist can disappear into the tin air from the FCT, it poses a big challenge for Nigeria's capital city.