IPI Nigeria has condemned the arrest of 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.
Thediscovererng.com reports that Soyinka was arrested and taken into custody at the Muritala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos around 5.40am on Sunday shortly after he arrived Nigeria via a Virgin Atlantic flight from the United Kingdom.
In a statement jointly signed by Ahmed Shekarau, Secretary, IPI Nigeria and Tobi Soniyi, Legal Adviser/Chair, Advocacy Committee revealed that 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.”
The statement further revealed that 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 with which Segun Olatunji was arrested and flew from Lagos to Abuja is still fresh in mind.
“During the #ENDBADGOVERNANCEINNIGERIA 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.
The group demanded a commitment from the federal government to uphold the freedom of the press and stop further harassment and intimidation of journalists.
It also advised journalists to be vigilant and go about their reportorial duty with the highest commitment to professional ethics.
