DSS Returns Passport To Journalist Soyinka, Says Detention Was Cos Of Mistaken Identity

The Department of State Services (DSS) has returned the passport of renowned investigative journalist Adejuwon Soyinka, days after it was taken from him following his detention on arrival from abroad at the Lagos Airport.

Soyinka, who works as the West Africa Regional Editor for The Conversation Africa, received his passport back on Friday. He was accompanied by human rights lawyer Inibehe Effiong to the DSS office in Ikoyi.

GWG.ng recalls that Soyinka had been arrested by DSS officers on Sunday while at the airport. He was detained for approximately eight hours and questioned at both the DSS Airport Command and their office in Ikoyi. Although he was released later that day, the DSS held on to his passport.

After his release, Soyinka mentioned that the DSS did not present any clear accusations against him. He later discovered that his name had been placed on a watchlist by an unknown government agency. The DSS later implied that his arrest and detention might have been a case of mistaken identity.

Effiong, who accompanied Soyinka to recover his passport, confirmed that DSS officials apologized for the situation and returned the passport without further complications. Effiong stated, “I went with Soyinka to retrieve his passport today. The secret police’s decision to blame the whole incident on possible mistaken identity did not come as a surprise.”

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