IPI Nigeria condemns arrest of Journalist’s wife, baby, suspends Police engagements

By Johnson Arua

The Nigerian National Committee of the International Press Institute (IPI Nigeria) has strongly condemned the arrest and detention of Mrs. Adenike Atanda and her nine-month-old baby by operatives of the Nigeria Police Force, describing the action as unlawful, inhumane, and a grave violation of press freedom.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, December 23, and signed by IPI Nigeria President, Musikilu Mojeed, and Legal Adviser, Tobi Soniyi, the organisation disclosed that Mrs. Atanda was arrested on Monday, December 21, 2025, at Owutu Police Station, Ikorodu, Lagos, in place of her husband, Mr. Sodeeq Atanda, a journalist with the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ).

According to IPI Nigeria, police officers tracked Mrs. Atanda and her infant to their neighbourhood and arrested them while the journalist was away from home.

The group stressed that neither Mrs. Atanda nor her child is a journalist, suspect, or accused of any offence, noting that the arrest amounted to an illegal arrest by proxy, expressly prohibited under Section 7 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015 and Section 36 of the Nigeria Police Act 2020.

Beyond the unlawful arrest, IPI Nigeria said Mrs. Atanda was subjected to harassment and psychological pressure, as officers allegedly coerced her into falsely informing her husband that their baby was critically ill in order to lure him out.

The organisation described the act as using a nursing mother and her infant as bait, exposing the child to needless trauma and distress.

IPI Nigeria expressed particular concern that the officers involved were attached to the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Monitoring Unit, especially coming weeks after the organisation listed the IGP, Mr. Kayode Egbetokun, in its Book of Infamy for press freedom violations.

The body noted that the IGP had since engaged with IPI Nigeria and pledged to improve police–media relations, mandating the same unit to address rising harassment of journalists nationwide.

Describing the incident as ironic and disturbing, IPI Nigeria announced the suspension of 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 against journalists.

The organisation revealed that Mrs. Atanda and her baby were released only after Mr. Atanda presented himself to the police. The journalist was subsequently arrested, handcuffed, and detained, before being released following IPI Nigeria’s intervention.

IPI Nigeria demanded a public apology to Mrs. Atanda and her child, adequate compensation for their unlawful arrest and trauma, and the immediate arrest, investigation, prosecution, and dismissal of all officers involved.

It also insisted that Mr. Atanda be allowed to carry out his legitimate journalistic duties without intimidation or harassment.

The group further warned the police against interfering in civil or commercial disputes meant for the courts, blaming persistent abuse of power on a culture of impunity within the force.

It called on the Inspector-General of Police to take decisive action by purging the force of unfit officers and demonstrating a genuine commitment to reform, accountability, and respect for press freedom.