International Press Institute accuses Tinubu’s administration of plot to clampdown on journalists
The International Press Institute (IPI) has accused Nigerian Government of using security apparatus to intimidate and harass journalists in ploy to clamp down the media practitioners across the country
Penpushing reports that the Nigeria Chapter of the Institute raised the alarm in a statement on Sunday signed by Ahmed Shekarau (Secretary) which chronicled number of illegal arrests perpetrated by the security operatives.
The world body of journalists equally made reference to the latest arrest and detention of Adejuwon Soyinka, Regional Editor, West Africa of the Conversation Africa and Pioneer Editor of the BBC Pidgin Service
‘Since President Tinubu assumed office on May 29, 2023, we have noticed a systematic clampdown on journalists across the country. The gestapo manner with which Segun Olatunji was arrested and flew from Lagos to Abuja is still fresh in mind’, the statement said.
‘During the #ENDBADGOVERNANCEINNIGERIA 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 added.
Penpushing further reports that Shekarau stated that following the intervention of International Press Institute (IPI) Nigeria, the State Security Service (SSS) released Soyinka on bail after detaining him for not less than six hours, adding that as at the time of filing this report the secret police still holding on to his international passport.
‘We hereby demand the immediate and unconditional release of Mr Soyinka’s international passport. We also demand a commitment from the federal government to uphold the freedom of the press and stop further harassment and intimidation of journalists’, the statement emphasised.
‘We hereby condemn the arrest of the Regional Editor, West Africa of the Conversation Africa and Pioneer Editor of the BBC Pidgin Service, Adejuwon Soyinka, by officers of the State Security Service (SSS) in Lagos’.
Penpushing also reports that the institute recalled that Soyinka was arrested and taken into custody at the Muritala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos around 5.40am on Sunday August 25, 2024 shortly after he arrived Nigeria via a Virgin Atlantic flight from the United Kingdom.
‘Following the intervention of IPI Nigeria, the SSS released Mr Soyinka on bail after detaining him for not less than six hours. However, the secret police is still holding on to his international passport’, the statement added.
Penpushing reports that the International Press Institute (IPI) said as at the time of the press statement made available to journalists no reason has been given for Soyinka’s arrest and subsequent detention, stressing that the action was part of plot by government to silence the media practitioners in the country.
‘Although no reason has been given for his arrest and subsequent detention, we view the action of the SSS as part of a plot to intimidate and harass journalists by the President Bola Tinubu administration. Mr Soyinka’s arrest and detention are not isolated cases’, Shekarau wrote.
Penpushing further reports that, International Press Institute (IPI), Nigeria Chapter in the statement advised journalists to be vigilant and go about their reportorial duty with the highest commitment to professional ethics.
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