The early Sunday morning arrest of Nigerian journalist Adejuwon Soyinka has been revealed by the State Security Service (SSS). Premium Times reports that at approximately 5:40 a.m., SSS agents detained Soyinka, the West African Regional Editor for The Conversation Africa, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos.CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>
He had just arrived in the country aboard a Virgin Atlantic flight from the United Kingdom. Initially, the reason behind his arrest was unclear.When asked, SSS spokesperson Peter Ifunnaya said he was unaware of the situation, though he acknowledged Soyinka’s role as the pioneer editor of the BBC Pidgin Service.
Later, Ifunnaya provided an update, stating that the SSS had “intercepted” the journalist following a request from another government agency. “We are working on Adejuwon Soyinka’s case,” he confirmed in a text message to the press.
However, the specific government agency involved in the request was not disclosed. It was later revealed that after being detained, Soyinka was transported from the airport to the SSS headquarters annex in Lagos.
An SSS source indicated that the agency was still attempting to communicate with the requesting body to determine the next steps. If no contact is made promptly, Soyinka may be released but required to report back on Monday.
Initially, his colleagues were unable to reach him, as calls and messages to his phone went unanswered.This arrest follows the nationwide #EndBadGovernance protests, during which both SSS and police operatives harassed journalists and fired tear gas and live ammunition at peaceful demonstrators.
Some protesters, arrested in their homes, remain in custody as part of a broader government crackdown on activists. Soyinka’s detention adds to the growing concern over the decline of press freedom in Nigeria.CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>
