FIJ editor held in Benin Republic over ‘jihadist’ allegation

The Commisseriat Central, Parakou police station, in Parakou, Republic of Benin, have reportedly arrested ‘Damilola Ayeni, editor of the Nigerian-based Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), over “jihadist” allegation. 

According to the FIJ, Ayeni has spent five days in the foreign police without food and water.

The foundation said Ayeni was on a trip to the country for the second leg of a Nigeria-Benin environmental journalism report when the Beninese police arrested him. 

The journalism platform said its editor sent a distress text on August 31 to his colleagues in Nigeria notifying them of his arrest.

However, the text was deleted within seconds of delivery. 

FIJ said nothing was heard about Ayeni until Tuesday morning when one Agnisso Lounko, a Beninese police commissioner, messaged the foundation via Whatsapp, informing the organisation about the editor’s whereabouts.

“Hello sir, I am the Commissioner of the Central Police Station of Parakou in Benin. Do you know Mr. Damilola of Nigerian nationality?” he asked in his opening text, before adding: “He is arrested in Penjari [sic] Park in northern Benin for jihadist [sic]. He would [sic] be presented to the prosecutor and sent to prison. He risks 10 to 20 years in prison. What do you think of his situation, sir?” the message reads.

FIJ said it is working to establish physical contact with Ayeni in Parakou. 

While speaking on the matter, Fisayo Soyombo, TheCable former editor and FIJ founder, criticised the arrest, saying Ayeni was labelled a “Jihadist despite finding no weapon or ammunition on him”.

Soyombo who is calling for Ayeni’s release, said the arrest was an attack on press freedom. 

“Damilola Ayeni’s arrest by the police in Benin Republic is a flagrant attack on press freedom and a most disturbing disregard by the Beninese for their bilateral relations with Nigeria, ” Soyombo said.

“How do you arrest an unarmed journalist and label him a jihahdist, then deny him phone communication with his people? This is the Beninese pooping on the faces of Nigerians.”

Damilola Ayeni was on the longlist for the 2023 edition of the One World Media Awards’ International Journalist of the Year category. 

Ayeni was also shortlisted for the 2021 edition of Thomson Foundation Young Journalists (FPA) Award’s environment category.