DSS releases journalist Soyinka on bail, seizes passport

The Department of State Services (DSS) has released a Nigerian journalist, Adejuwon Soyinka, on bail after six-hours in detention.

News media, PREMIUM TIMES which had earlier reported that the DSS spokesperson, Peter Afunanya, gave the reason for Soyinka’s arrest announced his release.

“Soyinka was driven from the airport to the DSS headquarters annex in Ikoyi, Lagos, where he was detained until about 12.30 p.m. when he was granted bail,” PT said.

According to the report, the DSS decided to grant him bail following the intervention of the International Press Institute (IPI) Nigeria.

The journalist, however, had to submit his international passport to the DSS as part of his bail conditions.

The security services also told Soyinka to provide his Nigerian address and reliable phone number through which they can reach him whenever he is in the country.

According to PT, Soyinka confirmed that he had been released via an SMS he sent to them at about 1.26 p.m. on Sunday.

“I have just been released by the DSS in Lagos. They are holding on to my passport, though. I am in an Uber ride ordered for me by the Deputy Director of DSS in Lagos,” his text message read, promising to speak further on his experience when he gets home.

The DSS had, meanwhile, earlier said that they arrested the Nigerian journalist based on a request from another government agency.

“We are working on Adejuwon Soyinka’s case,” DSS spokesperson, Afunanya confirmed in a text message to PT but failed to mention the agency on whose behalf they arrested the journalist.

Soyinka was reportedly detained at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos at about 5:40 a.m. on Sunday upon his arrival from the United Kingdom via a Virgin Atlantic flight.