Amnesty International has called for the immediate and unconditional release of journalist Adejuwon Soyinka, who was arrested earlier today by the Department of State Services (DSS) at Lagos airport. Amnesty International expressed concern that the manner of his arrest puts him at risk of torture and other ill-treatment.
In a post on its official X account, Amnesty International highlighted the growing trend of targeting journalists in Nigeria, listing several others who have faced unlawful detention by the government, including Segun Olatunji, Madu Onuorah, Daniel Ojukwu, Isaac Tamunoibifiri Bristol, and Juwon Soyinka.
The organisation stated, “The escalation of intimidation of journalists and bloggers recently is a frightening sign of what is coming regarding the Nigerian government’s efforts to muzzle dissenting voices in the country.”
Amnesty International also raised alarms over the continued unlawful detention of Abdullahi Yunusa, a student unionist leader who has been in DSS custody since 2 August 2024, following his participation in the #EndBadGovernance protest in Kaduna State.
In Sokoto State, Amnesty International called for the immediate and unconditional release of Shafi’u Umar Tureta, a social media critic who was arrested by heavily armed police on the unlawful order of Governor Ahmed Aliyu. Tureta was detained for posting a viral video of the governor’s wife’s lavish birthday party. Amnesty International condemned the arrest, stating, “Shafi’u Tureta, who was unlawfully arrested on the order of Governor of Sokoto State Ahmed Aliyu, has been hurriedly sent to prison, in what appears to be an attempt to punish him. Posting an already viral video of the lavish birthday party of the governor’s wife is not a crime.”
The organisation has urged the Nigerian authorities to cease the intimidation of journalists and critics and to respect the fundamental rights to freedom of expression and the press.
