IPI Nigeria Condemns Arrest and Detention of Journalist’s Wife, Nine-Month-Old Baby
Demands Public Apology, Compensation, and Prosecution of Officers Involved
The Nigerian National Committee of the International Press Institute (IPI Nigeria) strongly condemns the arrest and detention of Mrs. Adenike Atanda and her nine-month-old baby by operatives of the Nigeria Police Force.
Mrs. Atanda was detained for several hours on Monday at the Owutu Police Station, Ikorodu, Lagos, in place of her husband, Mr. Sodeeq Atanda, a journalist with the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ).
IPI Nigeria understands that police officers tracked Mrs. Atanda and her infant to their neighbourhood and arrested them in her husband’s absence. Neither Mrs. Atanda nor her baby is a journalist, a suspect, or accused of any offence.
Illegal Arrest by Proxy
This action constitutes a clear case of arrest by proxy, which is expressly prohibited under Section 7 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015 and Section 36 of the Nigeria Police Act 2020. Both laws unequivocally forbid the arrest of any person in place of a suspect.
Harassment and Psychological Abuse
Beyond the illegality of the arrest, Mrs. Atanda was subjected to harassment and psychological pressure. Police officers reportedly coerced her into falsely telling her husband that their infant was gravely ill in order to lure him out.
This amounted to the use of a nursing mother and her baby as bait, subjecting the child to needless trauma and distress.
Their only “offence” was their relationship to a journalist.
Disturbing Irony
That this grave abuse was carried out by officers attached to the IGP Monitoring Unit is especially disturbing. It comes barely weeks after IPI Nigeria listed the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Kayode Egbetokun, in its Book of Infamy for violations of press freedom.
Following that listing, the Inspector-General initiated engagement with IPI Nigeria, expressing a commitment to improving police–media relations. He also mandated the IGP Monitoring Unit to engage with IPI Nigeria to address the growing harassment of journalists nationwide.
Ironically, the same unit designated for that engagement has now committed one of the most egregious violations of journalists’ rights in recent times.
Suspension of Engagement With Police
In protest against this gross abuse of power, IPI Nigeria has suspended all engagements with the Nigeria Police Force until there is clear evidence of accountability, respect for the rule of law, and an end to hostility toward journalists.
Mrs. Atanda and her baby were released only after Mr. Atanda presented himself at the police station. He was subsequently arrested, handcuffed, and detained, and was released only after the intervention of IPI Nigeria.
IPI Nigeria’s Demands
IPI Nigeria therefore demands:
- A public apology by the Nigeria Police Force to Mrs. Adenike Atanda and her nine-month-old baby;
- Adequate compensation for their unlawful arrest, detention, and the trauma inflicted on them;
- The immediate arrest, investigation, and prosecution of all officers involved;
- The dismissal from service of those officers, as a deterrent to future abuses.
Protection of Press Freedom
Musikilu Mojeed, President of the International Press Institute (IPI) Nigeria further insists that Mr. Sodeeq Atanda be allowed to carry out his legitimate journalistic duties without intimidation or harassment.
The police must desist from interfering in civil or commercial disputes that properly belong before the courts and should advise complainants to seek redress through lawful judicial processes.
A Culture of Impunity
The persistent abuse of power within the Nigeria Police Force thrives largely because misconduct is rarely punished. Instead, offending officers are often shielded and, in some cases, rewarded.
This culture of impunity encourages further violations and continues to erode public confidence in the police.
IPI Nigeria observes with grave concern that indiscipline is too often tolerated within the Force. Officers who have no business wearing the uniform continue to operate unchecked, further damaging the already fragile image of the police.
Call to the Inspector-General
IPI Nigeria therefore calls on the Inspector-General of Police to act decisively by purging the Force of officers unfit to serve and by demonstrating—through concrete action—a genuine commitment to reform, accountability, and respect for press freedom.
