Matilda Omonaiye/
Security Agents operating at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport have arrested a media activist and Executive Director of Lagos-based International Press Institute, Mr Lanre Arogundade.
NewsmakersNG learnt that Arogundade, who is a former President of the National Association of Nigerian Students, was arrested by officials of the State Security Service on his arrival from The Gambia today.
Arogundade had reportedly travelled to attend and conduct a training programme on Conflict Reporting for Journalists, organised by the UNESCO (Gambia) and International Press Institute.
No reason has been given for his arrest yet.
Confirming the arrest in a statement titled, ‘Demand for Unconditional Release Of Lanre Arogundade From Illegal Custody Of State Security Service,’ human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, says, “We have confirmed that his name is not on Watch List. Hence, he was not prevented from travelling out of Nigeria. We have equally confirmed that he did not commit any offence in The Gambia to warrant his arrest and detention by security agencies in Nigeria,” Falana said in the statement.
“In fact, Mr Arogundade conducted himself as a law-abiding citizen of Nigeria throughout his stay in The Gambia. Even though the State Security Service said that Mr Arogundade has no right to enter Nigeria, he has not been sent back to the Gambia or any other country that might have been adopted for him. Since the harassment of Mr Arogundade cannot be justified, we are compelled to demand his immediate and unconditional release from the illegal custody of the State Security Service.”
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