DSS: Nigerian Journalist, Soyinka Confirms Release, Disclose Condition For Release

The Department of State Services (DSS) has released Adejuwon Soyinka, a Nigerian journalist and the West African Regional Editor of The Conversation Africa, after detaining him for over six hours on Sunday.

Soyinka was arrested by DSS operatives at approximately 5:40 a.m. on Sunday, upon his arrival at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos.

He had just returned to Nigeria from the United Kingdom via a Virgin Atlantic flight.

Following his arrest, Soyinka was transported to the DSS headquarters annex in Ikoyi, Lagos, where he remained in detention until around 12:30 p.m., when he was granted bail.

According to sources who spoke with Premium Times, the International Press Institute (IPI) Nigeria played a key role in securing Soyinka’s release.

The DSS imposed several bail conditions, including the confiscation of his passport. Soyinka was also required to provide his Nigerian address and a reliable phone number for future contact.

Soyinka confirmed his release in a message sent to Premium Times, stating that he was freed from detention around 1:26 p.m. on Sunday.

The text reads, “I have just been released by the DSS (SSS) 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.”