Investigative Journalist Adejuwon Soyinka was arrested by DSS. Colleagues are concerned about his whereabouts.

Investigative Journalist Adejuwon Soyinka was arrested by DSS. Colleagues are concerned about his whereabouts.

The international scene is becoming increasingly volatile as governments intensify their efforts to crack on individuals, they consider threats to national stability or those they believe require further scrutiny.

A recent incident in Nigeria underscores this trend, as a journalist was detained, reflecting the ongoing friction between governmental authorities and the press.

Adejuwon Soyinka, who serves as the West African Regional Editor for the Conversation Africa, was apprehended by agents from the Department of State Services (DSS) upon his return to Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos after a trip to the United Kingdom.

Mr. Soyinka, who was the first editor of the BBC Pidgin Service, was taken into custody without any clear justification from the security agency according to multiple reports.

Efforts to gather more details from DSS spokesperson Peter Afunanya were met with silence.

His colleagues have voiced their worries, noting that he has been unreachable, with no response to calls or messages.

Reports suggest that the recent crackdown by Nigerian authorities has included monitoring individuals linked to the #endbadgovernanceyinNigeria protests.

These protests have previously led to significant unrest & private stores being looted.

On social media, numerous Nigerians have expressed their views regarding the reasons for Mr. Soyinka’s detention, especially given his lack of involvement in the protests. 

The ongoing situation has sparked a debate about the implications of his arrest and the broader context of governance and civil liberties in Nigeria.

Latest update. 

An update regarding the earlier report reveals that the security agency responsible for the journalist’s detention has yet to provide any rationale for his arrest.

A friend later confirmed that Soyinka has been released by the Department of State Services (DSS), which had previously held him at their office in Ikoyi.

This friend also mentioned that the DSS is currently retaining Soyinka’s passport.

“He has been released, but they are keeping his passport. He was let go from the DSS office in Ikoyi,” one of his acquaintances stated.

Soyinka himself corroborated his release in a message to the media, indicating that he was freed from custody at approximately 1:26 p.m. on Sunday.

In his message, he noted, “I have just been released by the DSS (SSS) in Lagos. However, they are holding onto my passport. I am now in an Uber ride arranged for me by the Deputy Director of DSS in Lagos.”

Image: Adejuwon Soyinka on X.