The State Security Service (SSS) has returned journalist Adejuwon Soyinka's passport, blaming his wrongful arrest on mistaken identity. Soyinka, detained at Lagos airport, was released after hours of interrogation. Human rights groups criticize the SSS's actions, highlighting concerns about press freedom in Nigeria.
The State Security Service (SSS) in Nigeria recently returned the passport of investigative journalist Adejuwon Soyinka, attributing his arrest to a "possible mistaken identity." Soyinka, who had been detained at Murtala Muhammed International Airport upon returning from London, was held for eight hours before being released on self-recognizance, though his passport was initially confiscated.
The SSS claimed that his name was mistakenly placed on a watchlist at the request of an undisclosed government agency. Human rights lawyer Inibehe Effiong, who accompanied Soyinka to retrieve his passport, expressed disappointment at the secret police's explanation, calling it unsurprising. Musikilu Mojeed, President of the Nigerian chapter of the International Press Institute (IPI), criticized the SSS for its incompetence and the violation of Soyinka's rights.
Mojeed emphasized the need for accountability and urged the SSS to issue a formal apology to Soyinka, condemning the broader pattern of harassment faced by journalists in Nigeria. The incident reflects ongoing concerns about press freedom and the treatment of journalists under the current administration.
