The Foreign Press Association, Africa (FPAA) has condemned the unlawful detention of journalist Adejuwon Soyinka by Nigeria’s State Security Services (DSS). In a press release issued on August 26, 2024, the FPAA denounced the unjustified actions of DSS operatives, calling for the immediate release of their colleague, Adejuwon Soyinka.
Here is the statement:
RE: OUR STATEMENT ON THE ARREST OF NIGERIAN JOURNALIST ADEJUWON SOYINKA
The Foreign Press Association, Africa (FPAA) condemns the unjustified actions of Nigeria’s State Security Services (DSS) operatives to arrest and detain our colleague, Adejuwon Soyinka, West Africa Editor for the Conversation Africa, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos on Sunday, 25 August 2024, upon his return from the United Kingdom.
Mr. Soyinka, a Board Member of FPAA and our Regional Representative for West Africa, was told by DSS agents that he was placed on a watchlist, but no reason was given for this action. Despite admitting that they had no issue with Mr. Soyinka, DSS kept his international passport and instructed him to report to their office again on Monday, which amounts to blatant harassment and intimidation.
The circumstances surrounding Mr. Soyinka’s detention are deeply troubling. The DSS, in its admission, says that they had no particular issue with him, but shockingly claims that Soyinka was placed on a watchlist status by an unidentified government agency after a long 13 hours of interrogation.
The FPAA is deeply concerned and strongly repudiates this flagrant violation of press freedom and the rights of journalists. The arrest and detention of Mr. Soyinka without probable cause is a direct attack on the very principles of democracy. It is particularly alarming given the context of increasing repression against journalists in Nigeria.
The recent spike in attacks on journalists, including brutal assaults by state security agents and the use of live ammunition against reporters covering recent protests, underscores a growing threat to press freedom in Nigeria and represents a grave threat to the democratic fabric of the nation.
The FPAA calls on the Nigerian government to immediately cease this destructive path and respect the non-exhaustive list of texts, declarations, decisions, resolutions and conventions related to the safety of journalists.
We demand the immediate return of Mr. Soyinka’s passport, an apology to him, and an end to any further harassment disguised as further questioning. We also call for full transparency from the DSS and other government agencies regarding the circumstances of his arrest.
The international community and all defenders of press freedom should take note of this incident and join us in condemning these actions. The FPAA stands resolute in its commitment to defending press freedoms across Africa and will continue to hold accountable those who seek to undermine these freedoms.