Adejuwon Soyinka, a former editor of the BBC Pidgin Service has regained his freedom after spending hours in the Department of State Services, DSS, custody at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos.
Soyinka’s release followed the intervention of the International Press Institute, IPI, Nigeria, a global network of editors, media executives, and communication experts.
Soyinka, who is also the West African editor of The Conversation Africa, was arrested by DSS operatives on arrival from the UK on Sunday morning.
The reason for his detention was not disclosed, but it is believed to be part of a growing crackdown on journalists in Nigeria.
IPI in a statement by its Secretary, Ahmed Shekarau, and Tobi Soniyi, Legal Adviser/Chair, Advocacy Committee, yesterday, condemned Soyinka’s arrest and demanded release of his passport.
“We hereby condemn the arrest of Adejuwon Soyinka, by officers of SSS in Lagos.
“Mr. Soyinka was arrested and taken into custody in Lagos about 5.40 a.m., on August 25, 2024 shortly after he arrived 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 not less than six hours. However, the secret police is still holding on to 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 my mind.
“During the #EndBadGovernance 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 reason, journalists are being invited or arrested. The plan is to stop journalists from carrying out their legitimate duty.
“We hereby demand the immediate and unconditional release of Mr. Soyinka’s international passport.
“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 duty with the highest commitment to professional ethics,” the statement added.
