Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has ordered disciplinary action against the head of the police unit involved in the controversial arrest of Sodeeq Atanda, a senior reporter with the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ).
The directive followed widespread criticism of the conduct of officers attached to the IGP Monitoring Unit, who allegedly detained Atanda’s wife, Adenike, and their nine-month-old baby in Ikorodu, Lagos, as a ploy to lure the journalist.
The incident occurred on Monday when police operatives reportedly held the woman and her infant at the Owutu Police Station and compelled her to contact her husband, claiming the baby was seriously ill and required urgent medical care. Atanda was said to have rushed to the station, where he was immediately handcuffed and later transferred to the Force Headquarters Annexe in Obalende, Lagos.
Fisayo Soyombo, founder of FIJ, confirmed the arrest in a social media post, suggesting it was connected to one of Atanda’s investigative reports.
Atanda and his family were released later that night following interventions by concerned parties, including the International Press Institute (IPI) Nigeria.
Confirming the development, the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, said the IGP was angered by the incident and ordered Atanda’s immediate release. He added that the officer in charge of the unit involved would face sanctions.
According to Hundeyin, Egbetokun was particularly displeased that the arrest occurred at a time when the Nigeria Police Force had publicly committed to upholding press freedom and was taking concrete steps to protect journalists from harassment.