Intimidation, Arrests Of Journalists: IPI Demands Commitment From Tinubu-led FG

The International Press Institute Nigeria (IPI), on Sunday, August 25, 2024 demanded a commitment from the federal government to uphold the freedom of the press and to stop further harassment and intimidation of journalists.

IPI Nigeria which made the demand while reacting to the arrest of the Regional Editor, West Africa of the Conversation Africa and Pioneer Editor of the BBC Pidgin Service, Adejuwon Soyinka, by the State Security Service (SSS) in Lagos, noted that since President Bola Ahmed Tinubu assumed office on May 29, 2023, there has been a systematic clampdown on journalists across the country.

It said that although, no reason has been given for his arrest and subsequent detention, it viewed the action of the SSS as part of a plot to intimidate and harass journalists by the President Bola Tinubu administration.

A statement jointly signed by Ahmed Shekarau and Tobi Soniyi, Secretary and Legal Adviser/Chair, Advocacy Committee of IPI respectively, noted that Mr Soyinka was arrested and taken into custody at the Muritala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos at about 5.40am on Sunday, August 25, 2024 shortly after he arrived Nigeria via a Virgin Atlantic flight from the United Kingdom.

The statement said that following the intervention of IPI Nigeria, the SSS released Mr Soyinka on bail after detaining him for not less than six hours.

The IPI Nigeria noted that the SSS is still holding on to his Soyinka’s international passport, and therefore demanded the immediate and unconditional release of Soyinka’s international passport.

It noted that Soyinka’s arrest and detention are not isolated cases, stressing that the gestapo manner with which Segun Olatunji was arrested and flew from Lagos to Abuja is still fresh in mind.

In the words of IPI; “During the #ENDBADGOVERNANCE protests across the nation, journalists were directly shot at reminiscent of the dark days of the military.

“Hiding under the Cybercrime Act, the police have embarked on indiscriminate harassment and arrest of journalists.

“For the flimsiest reason, journalists are being invited or arrested. The plan is to stop journalists from carrying out their legitimate duty,” it stated.

IPI Nigeria advised journalists to be vigilant and go about their reportorial duty with the highest commitment to professional ethics.