The Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism condemns the reported arrest of the wife and 9-month-old baby of Sodeeq Atanda, a journalist with Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), by officers of the Lagos State Police Command.
The arrest of a journalist’s family members in connection with their work has no basis in law. Detaining a spouse and an infant raises serious concerns about due process, child welfare, and respect for constitutional rights, including press freedom.
Actions of this nature create fear among journalists and undermine public trust in law enforcement. The police have a responsibility to operate within the law and to engage the media through established legal procedures, not through intimidation or indirect pressure.
We call for the immediate release of those detained, a clear explanation from the Lagos State Police Command, and an investigation into the conduct of the officers involved. Authorities must take steps to ensure that journalists and their families are not targeted for legitimate journalistic work.
A free and independent press is essential to democratic governance. Any action that interferes with journalism or places journalists’ families at risk threatens the public’s right to information.
We will continue to demand accountability until justice is served.
Motunrayo Alaka,
Executive Director/CEO,
Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism
