The inspector-general of police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has directed that disciplinary action be taken against the commander of the unit linked to the arrest of Sodeeq Atanda, a senior reporter with the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ).
The directive follows widespread criticism over the conduct of officers from the IGP Monitoring Unit, who were accused of detaining Atanda’s wife, Adenike, alongside their nine-month-old child as a means of compelling the journalist to present himself.
The incident occurred on Monday in Ikorodu, Lagos, where police operatives allegedly held the woman and her infant at the Owutu police station and pressured her to contact her husband, claiming the baby was sick and required urgent medical care.
According to reports, Atanda later arrived at the station, where he was handcuffed and subsequently taken to the Force Headquarters annexe in Obalende, Lagos.
Fisayo Soyombo, founder of FIJ, confirmed the arrest via social media, suggesting it was connected to one of Atanda’s investigative stories.
Atanda and his family were released later that night following several interventions, including efforts by the International Press Institute (IPI) Nigeria.
Reacting to the development, Benjamin Hundeyin, the police public relations officer (PPPRO), said Egbetokun was “miffed” after being briefed on the incident and immediately ordered Atanda’s release.
Hundeyin added that the officer leading the unit involved would face sanctions.
“The IGP was particularly angry that this came up at a time when the Police had pledged and are taking tangible steps to ensure press freedom,” the police spokesperson said in a post on his X handle.
“He equally ordered that the head of that unit be sanctioned for his conduct.”