The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has ordered the immediate sanction of the head of a police unit involved in the controversial arrest of Sodeeq Atanda, a senior reporter with the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ). This directive follows public outrage over the detention of Atanda’s wife and their nine-month-old child, reportedly used as bait to lure him.
The incident occurred when police from the IGP Monitoring Unit detained Atanda’s wife, Adenike, compelling her to contact her husband under the false pretense that their child was ill. Upon arriving, Atanda was handcuffed and taken to the Force Headquarters in Obalende. FIJ confirmed the arrest and later release of Atanda and his family, highlighting the issues of police conduct and press freedom.
Activist Omoyele Sowore condemned the police tactics, accusing the force of collaborating with private interests, potentially eroding public trust in law enforcement. In defense, police spokesman Benjamin Hundeyin noted that Egbetokun was “miffed” upon learning of the incident and that he directed the release of Atanda and sanctions for the responsible unit head.
FIJ reported that the arrest was linked to Atanda’s investigation into Adeyemi Awoyinfa, who failed to refund £15,000 to a client seeking immigration services.
