The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has ordered the sanction of the head of a police unit implicated in the controversial arrest of Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ) reporter, Sodeeq Atanda, amid growing concerns about press freedom and police accountability.

The incident, which occurred on Monday in Ikorodu, Lagos, sparked outrage after officers from the IGP Monitoring Unit allegedly detained Atanda’s wife, Adenike, and their nine-month-old child to lure him. According to FIJ,

Adenike was compelled to call her husband under the pretence that their child was ill and required hospital attention. When Atanda arrived, he was handcuffed and taken to the Force Headquarters in Obalende.

FIJ founder and editor-in-chief, Fisayo Soyombo, confirmed the arrest and subsequent release, stating that the detention was linked to an investigative report by Atanda. He was released shortly before midnight on Monday, along with his family.

The episode has drawn sharp criticism from activists and media stakeholders. Publisher and activist Omoyele Sowore described the police tactics as “deeply disturbing,” accusing the force of collaborating with private interests to abduct civilians. He argued that the incident exemplified systemic issues within the Nigeria Police Force and risked eroding public trust.

The state’s Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Benjamin Hundeyin, however, defended the Inspector-General, insisting that Egbetokun was “miffed” when he learnt of the arrest through the International Press Institute (IPI).

“He directed that the head of the unit (not a DPO as you claimed) be contacted to release the journalist immediately. I updated Mojeed Musikilu of the IPI accordingly,” Hundeyin said.

Hundeyin added that the IGP ordered the immediate release of Atanda and sanctioned the unit head. “The IGP was particularly angry that this came up at a time when the Police had pledged and are taking tangible steps to ensure press freedom. He equally ordered that the head of that unit be sanctioned for his conduct. IGP Egbetokun does not want and would not condone any setback to our support for press freedom,” he said.

FIJ has linked the arrest to Atanda’s report on Adeyemi Awoyinfa, chief executive officer of Legend Adex Immigration Consult, who allegedly failed to deliver two certificates of sponsorship (CoS) after collecting £15,000 from a UK-based Nigerian in November 2023.