DSS arrests investigative journalist and former BBC editor, Adejuwon Soyinka at Lagos airport

Operatives of the Department of State Services have arrested an investigative journalist and founding editor of BBC Pidgin Service, Adejuwon Soyinka.

Soyinka, who is the Regional Editor of The Conversation Africa, was arrested at the Muritala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos on Sunday, August 25, 2024. 

A distress message sent to Punch by one of his friends stated that Soyinka was picked up shortly after arriving from the United Kingdom.

According to the friend, no reason was given for his arrest and Soyinka had been held incommunicado.

“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,” the message read.

“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.”

The publication said when they contacted the DSS spokesperson, Peter Afunanya, he 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.