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The Nigerian National Committee of the International Press Institute (IPI Nigeria) has condemned the arrest and detention of a journalist’s wife, Mrs Adenike Atanda, and her nine-month-old baby by operatives of the Nigeria Police Force in Lagos.
In a statement on Tuesday, IPI Nigeria said Mrs Atanda was arrested on Monday at Owutu Police Station, Ikorodu, in place of her husband, Mr Sodeeq Atanda, a journalist with the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ).
According to the institute, police officers arrested Mrs Atanda and her infant from their neighbourhood while Mr Atanda was away, despite the fact that neither the woman nor her child was a suspect or accused of any offence.
IPI Nigeria described the action as an unlawful arrest by proxy, noting that it violated the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015 and the Nigeria Police Act 2020, both of which prohibit arresting a person in place of a suspect.
The institute further alleged that Mrs Atanda was harassed and psychologically pressured, adding that officers attempted to coerce her into falsely claiming that her baby was critically ill in order to lure her husband to the station.
IPI Nigeria said the incident was particularly disturbing as it involved officers attached to the IGP Monitoring Unit, especially at a time when the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, had pledged improved police–media relations.
In protest, IPI Nigeria announced the suspension of all engagements with the Nigeria Police Force until there is evidence of accountability and respect for press freedom.
The organisation also demanded a public apology, compensation for Mrs Atanda and her baby, and the investigation and prosecution of the officers involved.
The statement was signed by the President of IPI Nigeria, Musikilu Mojeed, and its Legal Adviser, Tobi Soniyi.
