DSS detains investigative journalist Soyinka at Lagos Airport, raising concerns over press freedom

In a recent incident affecting press freedom in Nigeria, Adejuwon Soyinka, an investigative journalist and Regional Editor for West Africa at The Conversation Africa, was detained by the Department of State Security (DSS) at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos on Sunday, August 25, 2024.

The arrest took place at about 5:40 a.m., shortly after Soyinka arrived from the UK on a Virgin Atlantic flight. Witnesses reported that DSS officers detained Soyinka during an immigration check but did not provide any explanation for his arrest.

Attempts to contact Soyinka were unsuccessful, raising concerns among his colleagues and press freedom advocates seeking more information. Soyinka, renowned for his investigative journalism and as a former Pioneer Editor of the BBC Pidgin Service, has played a leading role in providing critical news coverage in West Africa.

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The DSS has not given an official statement or reason for Soyinka’s detention, raising concerns that his arrest could be linked to his journalistic work. Human rights and press freedom organizations have condemned the detention and called for Soyinka’s immediate release.

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has urged Nigerian authorities to respect journalists’ rights and avoid actions that threaten press freedom. “Journalists must be able to work without fear of reprisal or harassment,” CPJ said.

Soyinka’s detention raises broader questions about press freedom in Nigeria, where journalists often face intimidation and violence. The DSS’s history of dealing with journalists and activists adds to concerns about the current situation, which could potentially strain relations between the media and the government.

By: Olamide Ayoade

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