The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has ordered the immediate sanction of the head of a police unit involved in the arrest of a journalist with the Foundation for Investigative Journalism, Sodeeq Atanda.
The directive followed public outrage over the circumstances surrounding the arrest, which involved the detention of the journalist’s wife and their nine month old child, allegedly to lure him into police custody.
The incident occurred on Monday in Ikorodu, Lagos State, where operatives reportedly arrested Atanda’s wife, Adenike, alongside their infant.
According to FIJ, the officers compelled her to call her husband under the pretext that their child was seriously ill and needed urgent medical attention.
On arrival, Atanda was reportedly handcuffed and taken to the Force Headquarters in Obalende, Lagos. He was later released alongside his family shortly before midnight.
Confirming the development, the Force Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, said the Inspector General became aware of the arrest after being contacted by representatives of the International Press Institute.
Reacting via a post on X, Hundeyin said, “I promptly informed the IGP, and he was miffed. He immediately directed that the head of the unit be contacted and instructed to release the journalist.”
He added that the Inspector General ordered disciplinary action against the unit head responsible for the operation.”
“The IGP was particularly angry that this incident occurred at a time the Police have pledged and are taking tangible steps to support press freedom. He ordered that the head of the unit be sanctioned for his conduct,” Hundeyin stated.
Earlier, activist and publisher Omoyele Sowore condemned the arrest, describing the police action as “deeply disturbing” and accusing the force of using intimidation tactics that undermine press freedom and public trust.
FIJ founder and editor in chief, Fisayo Soyombo, also confirmed the arrest and release of the journalist, noting that the incident was connected to an investigative report authored by Atanda.
According to FIJ, the report focused on allegations that the chief executive officer of Legend Adex Immigration Consult, Adeyemi Awoyinfa, failed to refund £15,000 collected from a UK based Nigerian in November 2023 for certificates of sponsorship that were never delivered.
