Amanze Chinonye
The Lagos State Police Command on Monday arrested and handcuffed Sodeeq Atanda, a senior investigative reporter with the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), before releasing him unconditionally shortly before midnight following sustained pressure from media leaders.
Atanda was arrested in Ikorodu after police officers allegedly used his family as bait. His wife, Adenike, and their nine-month-old baby were first detained at the Owutu Police Station in Ikorodu for several hours. During the detention, Adenike was reportedly coerced into calling her husband to falsely claim that their child was ill and hospitalised.
According to Adenike, once the police confirmed that Atanda was approaching their home, officers drove her and the baby to a nearby street, where Atanda was sighted, handcuffed and taken away. She said she and the baby were released immediately after his arrest.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelREAD ALSO : Press Freedom Under Threat, Lagos Broadcasters Warn
World Press Freedom Day: We All Lose When Journalists Are Unable To Work – UN Sec. Gen.
Atanda was subsequently taken to the Force Headquarters in Obalende, Lagos.
The arrest followed a controversial police invitation sent to Atanda on November 26 by an individual identifying himself as “Omo Eleniyan,” who claimed to be attached to the Inspector-General of Police Monitoring Unit in Lagos. The invitation, sent via WhatsApp and riddled with grammatical errors, alleged that Atanda had been mentioned in a petition under investigation.
Atanda requested that the invitation be formally sent to FIJ through its official email channel, a standard practice for media organisations. The request was rejected, and no further communication was sent to FIJ until Monday evening, when police officers arrested Atanda’s wife and child.
Following Atanda’s arrest, discussions involving FIJ management and press freedom advocates intensified. At about 11:12pm, the investigating police officer reportedly informed FIJ founder and editor-in-chief, Fisayo Soyombo, of plans to release Atanda. However, upon Soyombo’s arrival at the station, police allegedly attempted to compel Atanda to write a statement, a move he refused.
Soyombo insisted that only an unconditional release was acceptable, rejecting any attempt to obtain a statement as a condition for Atanda’s freedom. Following further negotiations, the police released Atanda without conditions a few minutes before midnight.
Reacting to the incident, Musikilu Mojeed, president of the Nigerian chapter of the International Press Institute (IPI), described the arrest as unacceptable and pledged continued engagement with police authorities to prevent similar actions against journalists.
The incident has renewed concerns over press freedom, police conduct and the treatment of journalists in Nigeria.
Amanze Chinonye is a Staff Correspondent at Prime Business Africa, a rising star in the literary world, weaving captivating stories that transport readers to the vibrant landscapes of Nigeria and the rest of Africa. With a unique voice that blends with the newspaper's tradition and style, Chinonye's writing is a masterful exploration of the human condition, delving into themes of identity, culture, and social justice. Through her words, Chinonye paints vivid portraits of everyday African life, from the bustling markets of Nigeria's Lagos to the quiet villages of South Africa's countryside . With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the complexities of Nigerian society, Chinonye's writing is both a testament to the country's rich cultural heritage and a powerful call to action for a brighter future. As a writer, Chinonye is a true storyteller, using her dexterity to educate, inspire, and uplift readers around the world.
