Nigerian journalist, Adejuwon Soyinka, has been released from the Department of State Security (DSS) custody.
The former BBC Pidgin Editor is The Conversation Africa’s Regional Editor.
He was arrested at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, shortly after arriving from the United Kingdom early Sunday morning.
The spokesperson of the DSS, Peter Afunanya, confirmed that Soyinka was arrested at the request of another law enforcement agency.
“I have just been released by the DSS in Lagos. They are holding on to my passport”, Soyinka said.
While Soyinka’s travel passport was seized, he was also requested to provide his Nigerian address and reliable phone number.
A distress message sent to The PUNCH by one of his friends stated that Soyinka was picked up shortly after arriving from the United Kingdom.
The friend in the message said no reason was given for his arrest and Soyinka had been held incommunicado.
The message read, “Adejuwon Soyinka has been detained by officers of the Department of State Security at the Muritala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos. The incident happened around 5.40 am on Sunday, the 25th of August, 2024, shortly after he arrived in Nigeria via a Virgin Atlantic flight from the United Kingdom.
“As at the time of this report, no reason had been given for his detention by the security agency. Soyinka has not been reachable as messages and calls to his phone have been unanswered.”
When contacted, the DSS spokesperson, Peter Afunanya said he was not aware of Soyinka’s arrest.
“I am not aware of the matter you have raised and have no comments on it,” he said.
