Segun Atanda/
The Lagos State Police Command has come under heavy criticism after officers detained the wife and infant child of an investigative journalist in what has been widely condemned as an illegal and unethical attempt to arrest him.
The incident occurred on Monday evening in Owutu, Ikorodu, Lagos, where police officers reportedly tracked down the family of Sodeeq Atanda, a senior investigative reporter with the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ).
According to multiple accounts circulating on X, the officers detained Atanda’s wife, identified as Adenike, along with their nine-month-old baby.
Sources familiar with the incident said Adenike was allegedly coerced into contacting her husband under the pretext that their baby was ill, in order to lure him to the location.
When Atanda arrived, he was immediately handcuffed by the officers and taken to the Nigeria Police Force headquarters in Obalende, Lagos.
His wife and child were reportedly released at the scene shortly after his arrest.
FIJ, Atanda’s employer, confirmed the development and expressed concern over what it described as a vague and suspicious petition referenced by the police.
The organisation noted that Atanda had received a WhatsApp message last month alluding to a petition against him, but no clear details of any alleged offence were provided.
The incident has reignited debate over the conduct of law enforcement agencies, particularly in relation to journalists known for exposing alleged misconduct and abuse of power.
FIJ has a track record of publishing investigative reports on police excesses and human rights violations, a fact many observers believe may be linked to Atanda’s arrest.
Media professionals, civil society organisations and social media users have strongly condemned the detention of Atanda’s wife and baby, describing it as a form of intimidation and collective punishment.
The practice, commonly referred to as “arrest in lieu”, is expressly prohibited under Nigeria’s Police Act and has been repeatedly declared illegal by Nigerian courts.
Prominent journalist, Fisayo Soyombo, described the incident as a grave abuse of power, pointing out that neither Atanda’s wife nor his infant child could possibly be connected to any journalistic work or alleged offence.
Rights advocates have warned that such actions pose a serious threat to press freedom and the safety of journalists and their families.
As of the time of filing this report, the Lagos State Police Command had not issued a formal statement explaining the arrest or clarifying the nature of the petition against Atanda.
Calls are mounting for his immediate release and for an independent investigation into the actions of the officers involved.
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