IPI Nigeria condemns arrest of journalist’s wife, baby, demands accountability

The Nigerian National Committee of the International Press Institute (IPI Nigeria) has strongly condemned the arrest and detention of Mrs. Adenike Atanda and her nine-month-old baby by operatives of the Nigeria Police Force, describing the action as unlawful and a grave abuse of power.

In a statement signed by its President, Musikilu Mojeed, and Legal Adviser, Tobi Soniyi, IPI Nigeria said Mrs. Atanda was detained for several hours on Monday at the Owutu Police Station in Ikorodu, Lagos, in place of her husband, Mr. Sodeeq Atanda, a journalist with the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ).

According to the institute, police officers tracked Mrs. Atanda and her infant to their neighbourhood and arrested them while Mr. Atanda was not at home, despite the fact that neither the woman nor her child was a suspect or accused of any offence.

IPI Nigeria described the incident as an unlawful arrest by proxy, noting that it violated Section 7 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015 and Section 36 of the Nigeria Police Act 2020, both of which prohibit the arrest of any person in place of a suspect.

The organisation further alleged that Mrs. Atanda was subjected to harassment and psychological pressure while in custody, adding that officers allegedly coerced her into falsely telling her husband that their baby was gravely ill in order to lure him out. IPI Nigeria said the child was exposed to unnecessary trauma and distress.

The institute expressed particular concern that the officers involved were attached to the IGP Monitoring Unit, especially coming weeks after the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, was listed in IPI Nigeria’s “Book of Infamy” over press freedom violations. It recalled that following the listing, the IGP had initiated engagement with IPI Nigeria and mandated the same Monitoring Unit to address the harassment of journalists nationwide.

Describing the incident as ironic and disturbing, IPI Nigeria announced the suspension of all engagements with the Nigeria Police Force until there is clear evidence of accountability, respect for the rule of law, and an end to hostility against journalists.

IPI Nigeria disclosed that Mrs. Atanda and her baby were released only after Mr. Atanda presented himself to the police. Mr. Atanda was subsequently arrested, handcuffed, and detained, and was released following the intervention of the institute.

The organisation demanded a public apology by the Nigeria Police Force to Mrs. Atanda and her baby, adequate compensation for their unlawful arrest and detention, and the immediate arrest, investigation, and prosecution of all officers involved. It also called for the dismissal of those officers as a deterrent to future abuses.

IPI Nigeria further urged that Mr. Atanda be allowed to carry out his legitimate journalistic duties without intimidation or harassment, while cautioning the police against meddling in civil or commercial disputes that should be handled by the courts.

The institute warned that persistent misconduct within the police thrives due to a culture of impunity, which it said continues to erode public confidence in the force. It called on the Inspector-General of Police to take decisive action to purge the force of unfit officers and demonstrate genuine commitment to reform, accountability, and respect for press freedom.