DSS Arrests BBC Journalist Soyinka at Lagos Airport

The Department of State Services (DSS) has arrested Adejuwon Soyinka, the West African Regional Editor of the Conversation Africa, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos.

Soyinka, a former Pioneer Editor of the BBC Pidgin Service, was detained by DSS operatives at the airport on Sunday at about 5:40 a.m. upon his arrival from the United Kingdom via a Virgin Atlantic flight.

As of the time of this report, no reason has been given for his arrest and detention by the security agency. Soyinka’s colleagues said he has not been reachable as messages and calls to his phone have been unanswered.

When contacted, the DSS spokesperson, Peter Afunanya, claimed he was not aware of Soyinka’s arrest. “I am not aware of the matter you have raised and have no comments on it,” he said.