The State Security Service (SSS) has detained Adejuwon Soyinka, a prominent Nigerian journalist and West African Regional Editor for The Conversation Africa.
Mr. Soyinka, who previously served as the pioneer editor of the BBC Pidgin Service, was apprehended by SSS operatives at Lagos’ Murtala Muhammed International Airport around 5:40 a.m. on Sunday upon his return from the United Kingdom on a Virgin Atlantic flight.
At the time of this report, the security agency has not provided any reason for his detention. When contacted, the SSS spokesperson, Peter Afunanya, stated, “I am not aware of the matter you have raised and have no comments on it, please.”
Colleagues of the award-winning journalist have expressed concern, noting that he has been unreachable, with messages and calls to his phone going unanswered.
This incident comes in the wake of recent statements by Nigerian authorities indicating that certain individuals involved in the #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protests have been placed on a watchlist at international airports across the country.
Although Mr. Soyinka is not publicly known to have participated in organizing or executing the protests, it remains unclear if his arrest is connected to this controversial measure.
During the ten-day protests, several journalists covering the events faced attacks and brutality from security forces, including SSS operatives.
In one particularly alarming incident in Abuja, operatives fired live ammunition at a car carrying journalists on duty at the Moshood Abiola Stadium, where peaceful protesters had gathered.
