February 10, (THEWILL) – Executive Director of the International Press Centre (IPC), Lanre Arogundade, has been arrested by the operatives of the Nigeria Immigrations Service (NIS), at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, on his arrival from Banjul, The Gambia.
The Immigrations officials later handed the journalist to the operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), who have kept him in detention since then.
THEWILL learnt that the renowned trade unionist, socialist, and media development specialist, was arrested on the pretext that he is on a wanted list.
His arrest was disclosed in a statement signed by human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN).
“We have confirmed that his name is not on the Watch List. Hence, he was not prevented from travelling out of Nigeria. We have equally confirmed that he did not commit any offence in The Gambia to warrant his arrest and detention by security agencies in Nigeria.
“In fact, Mr Arogundade conducted himself as a law-abiding citizen of Nigeria throughout his stay in The Gambia. Even though the State Security Service said that Mr Arogundade has no right to enter Nigeria, he has not been sent back to the Gambia or any other country that might have been adopted for him. Since the harassment of Mr Arogundade cannot be justified, we are compelled to demand his immediate and unconditional release from the illegal custody of the State Security Service”, Falana said in the statement.
In a tweet hours later, the International Press Centre confirmed his release, saying, “Mr Arogundade @lanreipc has been released, and his Passport has been returned to him. Thank you all.”
Arogundade, however, said the development was not his first as he experiences the same treatment whenever he travels out of Nigeria.
