The International Press Institute (IPI) Nigeria has demanded that the State Security Service (SSS) in Lagos release the passport of the West African regional editor of the Conversation Africa and pioneer editor of the BBC Pidgin Service, Adejuwon Soyinka.

IPI Nigeria made the demand in a press release issued on Sunday by its secretary, Ahmed Shekarau and its legal adviser, Tobi Soniyi.

The SSS had, for unknown reasons, arrested Mr Soyinka at the Muritala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos around 5:40 a.m. on Sunday, upon his arrival via a Virgin Atlantic flight from the United Kingdom.

The IPI condemned the arrest of Mr Soyinka, saying its intervention led to the journalist’s release on bail after he spent six hours in detention. The secret police also seized Mr Soyinka’s passport.

“Although no reason has been given for his arrest and subsequent detention, we view the action of the SSS as part of a plot to intimidate and harass journalists by the President Bola Tinubu administration,” the institute said.

“Mr Soyinka’s arrest and detention are not isolated cases,” IPI added, accusing Mr Tinubu of “systematically” clamping down on journalists since assuming office in May 2023.

“For the flimsiest reasons, journalists are being invited or arrested. The plan is to stop journalists from carrying out their legitimate duties,” the institute stated, noting, “the gestapo manner with which Segun Olatunji was arrested and flew from Lagos to Abuja is still fresh in mind.”

Recalling that journalists were shot at during the nationwide #EndBadGovernance protests, the IPI also lamented the police’s use of the Cybercrime Act to indiscriminately harass, invite or arrest journalists for “flimsy” reasons.

“The plan is to stop journalists from carrying out their legitimate duty. We hereby demand the immediate and unconditional release of Mr Soyinka’s international passport,” it stated.

The institute called on the Tinubu-led government to uphold the freedom of the press and stop the harassment of journalists.

It also advised journalists to be vigilant and go about their reportorial duties with the highest commitment to professional ethics.