DSS arrests Nigerian journalist, Soyinka

Journalist and regional editor of The Conversation Africa for West Africa, Adejuwon Soyinka has reportedly been arrested by the Department of State Services (DSS). The secret police are said to have detained Soyinka, a former pioneer editor of the BBC pidgin service, early on Sunday morning at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos.

The DSS spokesperson, Peter Afunanya, stated he was unaware of Soyinka's detention when he was called for comment. When the journalist arrived at the airport from the UK, the agents reportedly grabbed him.

According to his colleagues, the award-winning journalist has not been accessible because texts and phone calls remain unanswered.

Authorities in Nigeria recently announced that several citizens of the country have been added to a watchlist at the international airports for their involvement in the recent #endbadgovernanceyinNigeria protest. Though the journalist's involvement in the planning and execution of the demonstration is unknown to the public, it remains uncertain whether Mr. Adejuwon's detention is connected to that contentious activity. A number of journalists covering the ten-day demonstration were subjected to physical assault and abuse by security forces, including members of the DSS.