By Jemimah Wellington, JKNMedia Reporter
THE International Press Centre (IPC) has issued a strong statement expressing its dismay over the incessant harassment of its executive director, Mr. Lanre Arogundade, by officials of the State Security Service (DSS) at the Murtala Mohammed international airport in Lagos.
IPC says the latest incident occurred on April 11 as Mr. Arogundade was preparing to board a late night Air France flight to Berling, Germany, to attend the general meetings and conferences of the African Freedom of Expression Exchange (AFEX) and the International Freedom of Expression Exchange (IFEX).
Mr. Arogundade, a respected journalist, advocate for social justice and democracy, and former leader in various professionals and student organizations, has been repeatedly subjected to unwarranted scrutiny by the DSS, despite assurances from the Director-General of the agency that his name has been removed from their watchlist two years ago.
In a Facebook post detailing the encounter, Mr. Arogundade revealed that he was detained and questioned for about 40 minutes by DSS officials who insisted his name was still flagged in their system.
The senior DSS official he encountered even threatened to prevent him from travelling unless he produced his old passports, a demand Arogundade described as “bizarre and ridiculous.”
IPC has strongly condemned the ongoing harassment, emphasizing that such actions violate his fundamental human right to freedom of movement and undermine democratic principles.
The organization called on the DSS, DG and all personnel at the airport to cease any further intimidation of Arogundade.
Melody Akinjiyan, in the press statement, also urged the DSS to respect the rights and dignity of individual Nigerians including Arogundade’s, who are dedicated to upholding press freedom and democratic values.
