The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has ordered the immediate sanction of the head of a police unit implicated in the controversial arrest of Sodeeq Atanda, a senior reporter with the Foundation for Investigative Journalism.
The directive follows public outcry over the detention of the journalist’s wife and nine-month-old child, allegedly used as bait to lure him.
The incident occurred on Monday when officers from the IGP Monitoring Unit reportedly detained Atanda’s wife, Adenike, and their infant at a location in Ikorodu, Lagos.
According to FIJ, the police compelled Adenike to call her husband under the pretence that their child was ill and needed hospital attention.
When Atanda arrived, he was handcuffed and taken to the Force Headquarters in Obalende.
FIJ founder and editor-in-chief, Fisayo Soyombo, confirmed the arrest and subsequent release on X, stating that the arrest stemmed from an investigative report by Atanda.
Atanda was released shortly before midnight on Monday along with his family, sparking public outrage over police conduct and press freedom.
Activist and publisher Omoyele Sowore criticised the police tactics as “deeply disturbing,” accusing the force under Egbetokun of collaborating with private interests to abduct civilians and undermine law and order. He said the episode exemplified systemic issues within the Nigeria Police Force, potentially eroding public trust.
IG orders sanction of officer over FIJ journalist’s arrest
