The State Security Service (SSS) has explained why Nigerian journalist Adejuwon Soyinka was arrested early Sunday morning.
According to PREMIUM TIMES, SSS operatives apprehended Mr. Soyinka, the West African Regional Editor for The Conversation Africa, at around 5:40 a.m. at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos. He had just arrived in Nigeria on a Virgin Atlantic flight from the United Kingdom.
Initially, the reason for his arrest was unclear.
Peter Ifunnaya, the SSS spokesperson, told PREMIUM TIMES that he was not aware of Mr. Soyinka’s arrest and detention. Mr. Soyinka is also known as the founding Editor of BBC Pidgin Service.
Later, Mr. Ifunnaya informed PREMIUM TIMES that the SSS had “intercepted” the journalist following a request from another government agency. He confirmed via a text message, “We are working on Adejuwon Soyinka’s case.”
However, he did not disclose the agency responsible for requesting the arrest.
PREMIUM TIMES further learned that after being taken into custody, Mr. Soyinka was transported from the airport to the SSS headquarters annex in Lagos.
