Oluwatosin Enesi
Soyinka was detained by officers of the Department of State Services (DSS) at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos on Sunday, shortly after arriving from the United Kingdom.
In a statement signed by Ahmed Shekarau, IPI Nigeria’s secretary, and Tobi Soniyi, its legal adviser, the institute described the arrest as “part of a broader pattern of intimidation against journalists under the administration of President Bola Tinubu.”
It cited recent instances of harassment of journalists, including the “targeting” of reporters during the End Bad Governance In Nigeria protests.
“We hereby condemn the arrest of the Regional Editor, West Africa of The Conversation Africa and Pioneer Editor of the BBC Pidgin Service, Adejuwon Soyinka, by officers of the State Security Service (SSS) in Lagos,” the statement reads.
“Mr. Soyinka was arrested and taken into custody at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos around 5:40 a.m. on Sunday, the 25th of August, 2024, shortly after he arrived in Nigeria via a Virgin Atlantic flight from the United Kingdom.
“Following the intervention of IPI Nigeria, the SSS released Mr. Soyinka on bail after detaining him for no less than six hours.
“However, the secret police are still holding his international passport.
“Although no reason has been given for his arrest and subsequent detention, we view the action of the SSS as part of a plot to intimidate and harass journalists by the President Bola Tinubu administration.
“Mr. Soyinka’s arrest and detention are not isolated cases. Since President Tinubu assumed office on May 29, 2023, we have noticed a systematic clampdown on journalists across the country.
“The Gestapo manner in which Segun Olatunji was arrested and flown from Lagos to Abuja is still fresh in our minds.
“During the End Bad Governance In Nigeria protests across the nation, journalists were directly shot at, reminiscent of the dark days of the military.
“Hiding under the Cybercrime Act, the police have embarked on indiscriminate harassment and arrest of journalists.
“For the flimsiest reasons, journalists are being invited or arrested. The plan is to stop journalists from carrying out their legitimate duties.”
The IPI called on the federal government to immediately return Soyinka’s seized passport international passport.
“We hereby demand the immediate and unconditional release of Mr. Soyinka’s international passport,” the statement adds.
“We also demand a commitment from the federal government to uphold the freedom of the press and stop further harassment and intimidation of journalists.
“In the main, we advise journalists to be vigilant and go about their reportorial duties with the highest commitment to professional ethics.”
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