Police Turn Family Into Bait: Outrage as FIJ Reporter Freed After Wife, Baby Allegedly Held Hostage in Lagos
By Passman Akpos
There was widespread outrage on Tuesday following the release of Sodeeq Atanda, a senior reporter with the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ) Nigeria, amid grave allegations of abuse of power against officers of the Nigeria Police Force.
Human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, disclosed that he spoke directly with FIJ Publisher, Fisayo Soyombo, who confirmed Atanda’s release from detention at the Obalende Police Station in Lagos.
According to Sowore, the circumstances surrounding Atanda’s arrest were deeply disturbing. He alleged that police officers detained Atanda’s wife and their nine-month-old baby, effectively using them as leverage to lure the journalist into custody.
Sowore claimed that Atanda’s wife was compelled to call him under duress, falsely informing him that their child was ill and that they were at a hospital. When Atanda reportedly rushed to the location in panic, he was allegedly handcuffed and detained by the police.
Even more troubling, Sowore alleged that an Investigating Police Officer openly admitted that the complainant in a fraud-related report involving Atanda had paid private individuals to track the journalist’s family via phone. He further claimed that Atanda’s wife and infant were subsequently handed over to the police.
“These statements were made casually, without shame or restraint, as though kidnapping civilians, including a baby, has become standard police procedure,” Sowore said.
In his statement, Sowore accused the Nigeria Police Force of collaborating with private interests to intimidate journalists and citizens, describing the actions as part of a broader pattern of repression. He also alleged that the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, whom he described as “illegal,” has been tracking his movements since his arrival in Lagos — a claim yet to be independently verified.
Sowore warned that a police institution operating in such a manner was not maintaining law and order but actively undermining it.
“A police force that weaponizes cruelty and terrorizes families is accelerating the collapse of law and order,” he said, adding that such conduct could further erode public confidence in the Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led administration.
As of press time, the Nigeria Police Force had not issued an official response to the allegations. Civil society groups and press freedom advocates are, however, calling for an independent investigation into the incident and renewed protections for journalists and their families in Nigeria.
