In a shocking turn of events that has the media world buzzing, the Nigeria Police Force has released Adenike Atanda and her nine-month-old baby after detaining them in the Owutu area of Ikorodu, Lagos State. The wife and child of Sodeeq Atanda, a senior investigative reporter with the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), were reportedly held for hours, sparking a frenzy among press freedom advocates and the public.
According to FIJ, the police stormed the Atanda residence and whisked away Adenike and her infant. The pair were taken to a police station, where officers allegedly pressured Adenike to lure her husband by pretending their child was sick and hospitalized. The details are murky, but the drama didn’t end there.
Adenike told FIJ, “When they realised my husband was no longer far from the house, the policemen drove me and my baby to a street not far from our home. And when they saw him, they handcuffed him and took him away. That was when they released my baby and me.” The police’s tactics have left many questioning their motives and methods.
Sodeeq Atanda, known for his investigative work, was then taken to the Force Headquarters annex in Obalende, Lagos, where he was held for hours before being released just before midnight. The police have yet to provide any real explanation for the arrest or the bizarre detention of his family.
FIJ claims this incident is linked to a previous attempt by the police to “invite” Atanda for questioning. A mysterious figure, ‘Omo Eleniyan’, allegedly contacted Atanda via WhatsApp, claiming to be from the Inspector-General of Police Monitoring Unit. The message referenced a petition and demanded Atanda’s personal appearance, not the organisation’s involvement. After Atanda pushed back, communication stopped,until the police showed up at his home.
The Lagos State Police Command has been tight-lipped, offering no official statement. When pressed, the Public Relations Officer, SP Abimbola Adebisi, admitted, “I am yet to get facts on this. I’m still trying to reach FHQ Annex.” The lack of answers has only fueled speculation and outrage.
Media professionals and human rights groups are calling this a blatant attack on press freedom, with some labeling it an “alarming escalation” in the intimidation of journalists. The use of family members as bait in police investigations is being widely condemned, but so far, authorities remain silent.
Press freedom organisations are demanding a full investigation and guarantees that journalists and their families won’t be targeted in the future. The case has reignited debates about the safety of journalists in Nigeria, where threats and intimidation are all too common.
As the story unfolds, the media and public are demanding answers and accountability. Will the police come clean, or is this just another example of unchecked power? For now, the spotlight remains firmly on the authorities,and the pressure is mounting.
