DSS detains ex-BBC editor Adejuwon Soyinka

The Department of State Services (DSS) has detained Adejuwon Soyinka, the West African editor of The Conversation Africa.

Soyinka, a former pioneer editor of the BBC pidgin service, was arrested early Sunday morning by the secret police at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos.

When contacted for comments, Peter Afunanya, DSS spokesperson, said he was not aware of Soyinka’s arrest.

The journalist was seized by the operatives on arrival at the airport from the UK.

Security operatives have intensified attacks on journalists since the turn of the year.

In March, Segun Olatunji, a former editor of FirstNews, was arrested in Lagos.

In May, Daniel Ojukwu, a journalist with the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), was detained by the police for 10 days.

In May, Jamil Mabai, a freelance journalist, was detained by the Katsina Hisbah religious police.

The Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCCC) has also detained several journalists and whistleblowers over petitions filed against them.