Detained Journalist, Soyinka released on bail by DSS

Adejuwon Soyinka, Regional Editor of The Conversation Africa and an investigative journalist, has been released on bail after being detained by the Department of State Services (DSS) at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos on Sunday, August 25th, 2024.

Soyinka was arrested shortly after arriving from the United Kingdom, sparking widespread concern among colleagues, press freedom advocates, and the public.

Initially, DSS spokesperson Peter Afunanya denied knowledge of Soyinka’s arrest. However, the journalist was later released from the DSS Ikoyi office after intervention from the International Press Institute (IPI) Nigeria. Soyinka’s passport was seized, and a friend confirmed that he was held for over six hours.

The DSS stated that Soyinka was taken into custody based on a request from a foreign agency, though they did not disclose further details about the agency or the country involved.

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The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) expressed concerns about Soyinka’s arrest on social media, calling on the Tinubu administration to end the persecution of journalists. SERAP emphasized that the arrest appeared to be part of a broader crackdown on journalists, whistleblowers, and human rights defenders in Nigeria.

“Tinubu administration must immediately release journalist Adejuwon Soyinka who was reportedly arrested by the DSS at the Muritala Muhammed International Airport today… The administration must end the persecution of journalists simply for doing their job… We’re concerned that Soyinka’s arrest is part of a growing crackdown against journalists, whistleblowers, and human rights defenders in Nigeria.”

The International Press Institute (IPI) Nigeria also condemned Soyinka’s arrest in a statement by its secretary, Ahmed Shekarau, and Tobi Soniyi, Legal Adviser/Chair, Advocacy Committee.

“However, the secret police are 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 with which Segun Olatunji was arrested and flew from Lagos to Abuja is still fresh in mind.

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They criticized the DSS’s actions as an attempt to intimidate and harass journalists under President Bola Tinubu’s administration. The IPI called for the immediate return of Soyinka’s international passport and urged the federal government to uphold press freedom and cease further harassment of journalists.

The IPI also highlighted other recent incidents, including the arrest of journalist Segun Olatunji, as part of a worrying trend of increased pressure on journalists since Tinubu took office. The organization advised journalists to remain vigilant and adhere to professional ethics while performing their duties.