DSS Picks Up, Detains Adejuwon Soyinka at Lagos Airport

Officials of the Department of State Security, DSS pick up, detains investigative journalist Adejuwon Soyinka at the Lagos Airport.

Soyinka, was picked up earlier today on his arrival in the country from United Kingdom.

Adejuwon Soyinka who serves as the Regional Editor for West Africa at The Conversation Africa is also the former Pioneer Editor of the BBC Pidgin Service.

Soyinka has veen taken into custody at Murtala Muhammed International Airport today, Sunday August 25th, 2024 at about 5:40 am.

Initial reports indicate the DSS officers approached Soyinka as he was going through the airport’s immigration checks.

He was seen being taken away with no clear reason for the arrest and subsequent detention soon after he arrived the country from United Kingdom.

As of the time of this report, Soyinka has reportedly not been reachable.
Attempts to contact him on his phone have also reportedly been unsuccessful.

This has heightened concerns among colleagues, press freedom advocates, and members of the public, who are seeking clarity on the situation.

Adejuwon Soyinka is a well-respected figure in the field of journalism, known for his in-depth investigative reporting and commitment to holding power to account.

His work at The Conversation Africa has been instrumental in providing critical analysis and insights on issues affecting the West African region.

During his tenure as the Pioneer Editor of the BBC Pidgin Service, Soyinka played a key role in expanding the reach of news in local languages, making information more accessible to millions of people across West Africa.

The circumstances surrounding Soyinka’s detention remain unclear, and the DSS has yet to issue an official statement or provide any explanation for their actions.

This lack of transparency sparks widespread concern in the media community.

Soyinka’s detention may be linked to his journalistic activities.

Human rights organisations and press freedom advocates are condemning the detention and called for Soyinka’s immediate release.

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) issued a statement urging the Nigerian authorities to respect the rights of journalists and to refrain from actions that could stifle press freedom. “Journalists must be allowed to work without fear of retaliation or undue interference,” the CPJ’s statement read.

Soyinka’s detention has raised broader questions about the state of press freedom in Nigeria, a country where journalists often face harassment, intimidation, and even violence in the course of their work.

The DSS, Nigeria’s principal security agency, has been criticized for its treatment of journalists and activists.

The latest incident is likely to further strain the relationship between the press and the government.

As the situation develops, there is growing demand for accountability and transparency from the DSS regarding the reasons for Soyinka’s detention.

Many are also calling on the international community to monitor the situation closely and to speak out in defense of press freedom in Nigeria.

For now, the fate of Adejuwon Soyinka remains uncertain, and the journalism community waits anxiously for news of his well-being and for an explanation from the authorities.

His detention serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by journalists in Nigeria and the ongoing struggle to protect press freedom in the country.