Outrage as IGP Orders Sanctions Over Police Use of Wife and Infant as Bait to Arrest FIJ Journalist

By Emmanuel Kwada

In a swift response to widespread condemnation, Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun has ordered sanctions against the head of the police unit responsible for the controversial arrest of Sodeeq Atanda, a senior investigative reporter with the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ).

The directive follows public fury over the tactics employed by officers from the IGP Monitoring Unit, who allegedly detained Atanda’s wife, Adenike, and their nine-month-old baby for several hours on Monday in Ikorodu, Lagos, to lure the journalist into custody.

According to reports, operatives tracked and detained Adenike and the infant at Owutu Police Station while Atanda was away from home.

They reportedly coerced her into calling her husband, falsely claiming the child was seriously ill and required urgent medical attention. When Atanda rushed to the scene, he was immediately handcuffed and transferred to the Force Headquarters Annex in Obalende, Lagos.

FIJ founder Fisayo Soyombo linked the arrest to Atanda’s recent investigative story exposing how Adeyemi Awoyinfa, CEO of Legend Adex Immigration Consult, allegedly failed to refund £15,000 paid for certificates of sponsorship.

The journalist and his family were released late Monday night following interventions from media bodies, including the International Press Institute (IPI) Nigeria.

Police spokesperson Benjamin Hundeyin stated that Egbetokun was “miffed” upon learning of the incident and immediately ordered Atanda’s release.

“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,” Hundeyin said.

He confirmed that the unit head would face sanctions, adding, “IGP Egbetokun does not want and would not condone any setback to our support for press freedom.”

The incident has sparked sharp criticism. Activist Omoyele Sowore described the police actions as “deeply disturbing,” accusing the force of undermining law and order.

IPI Nigeria condemned the detention as an “unlawful arrest by proxy,” violating Nigerian laws, and noted the irony given Egbetokun’s recent inclusion in their “Book of Infamy” for press freedom violations.

Rights groups have highlighted growing concerns over police harassment of journalists, with calls for thorough investigations and protections for media workers.

The Nigeria Police Force has yet to detail the specific sanctions or provide further updates on the petition that prompted the initial invitation to Atanda.