Journalist Soyinka, freed after hours of detention by DSS

The Department of State Services (DSS), on Sunday, freed Adejuwon Soyinka, the Regional Editor of The Conversation Africa.

Soyinka , an investigate journalist and former editor of the BBC Pidgin Service, was released after detained for hours at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos.

He 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.

Initially, DSS spokesperson, Peter Afunanya claimed he was not aware of Soyinka’s arrest, but later stated that he was held at the request of another agency.

Speaking with The Punch after his release, Soyinka said the DSS did not confront him with any allegations.

He said, “They’ve not told me what they held me for. There was no tangible thing all through; they were just asking different questions, random questions, but they didn’t tell me exactly what they held me for.

“But what they said was that they were not the ones who wanted me. They said it was another government agency that told them to put me on their watch list. But they did mention the name of that agency.

“They tried to reach that agency all day, but they couldn’t. They released me on personal recognition. And they told me they would still communicate with the agency to confirm if they are still interested in following up on the matter. They said if they are not interested they will return my passport. The whole thing was traumatising for me.”

IPI condemns arrest, demands release of his passport

Meanwhile IPI Nigeria in a statement by its Secretary, Ahmed Shekarau, and Tobi Soniyi, Legal Adviser/Chair, Advocacy Committee, yesterday, condemned the arrest of Soyinka.

“We hereby condemn the arrest of Adejuwon Soyinka, by officers of SSS in Lagos,” the statement said.

“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.