SSS Apologizes for Soyinka’s Arrest, Cites Mistaken Identity, and Returns Seized Passport

The Nigerian State Security Service (SSS) has returned the passport of acclaimed investigative journalist Adejuwon Soyinka, attributing his recent arrest to a case of “possible mistaken identity.” The incident, which occurred on Sunday, August 25, has drawn widespread condemnation from press organizations and human rights advocates.

Soyinka, a two-time Emmy-nominated journalist and West Africa Regional Editor for The Conversation Africa, was detained by the SSS at Murtala Muhammed International Airport after arriving on a Virgin Atlantic flight from London. He was held for approximately eight hours at both the SSS airport command and the agency’s Ikoyi office, before being released on self-recognition. However, his passport was confiscated during the ordeal.

On Friday, August 30, Soyinka, accompanied by human rights lawyer Inibehe Effiong, visited the SSS office in Ikoyi to retrieve his passport. The SSS, in its explanation, initially stated that Soyinka’s name appeared on a watchlist at the request of an unnamed government agency, but later claimed the arrest was a result of mistaken identity.

Effiong expressed disappointment but not surprise at the SSS’s justification, criticizing the agency for what he described as a display of “professional incompetence and recklessness.” He did not comment on whether Soyinka would pursue legal action against the SSS for violating his fundamental human rights.

Musikilu Mojeed, President of the Nigerian chapter of the International Press Institute (IPI Nigeria), expressed shock at the SSS’s actions. In a statement issued on Saturday morning, Mojeed said, “IPI Nigeria will consult with Mr. Soyinka to decide how to respond to this unbelievable demonstration of incompetence by operatives of a key intelligence agency.”

Mojeed called for accountability, demanding that the SSS issue a formal apology to Soyinka for the inconvenience and psychological distress caused by the incident. He also urged the agency to commit to avoiding such “reckless, undemocratic, and unprofessional behavior” in the future.

Soyinka’s arrest is seen by many as part of a broader pattern of harassment against journalists in Nigeria. The incident adds to a growing list of cases where journalists have faced intimidation and violence from security forces under President Bola Tinubu’s administration. In June, Primium Times journalist Emmanuel Agbo was summoned by the police over an unpublished report, and earlier this month, both the police and SSS used live ammunition and tear gas to disperse journalists and protesters during anti-government demonstrations in Abuja.

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) reported that at least 56 journalists were assaulted or harassed while covering the recent #EndBadGovernance protests, highlighting the increasingly hostile environment for the press in Nigeria.

IPI Nigeria had previously condemned Soyinka’s arrest, describing it as part of a systematic clampdown on journalism since Tinubu took office on May 29, 2023. The organization and other press freedom advocates continue to demand greater accountability from the Nigerian government and its security agencies.