Free Damilola Ayeni Now, Journalism is Not a Crime in our Shared Humanity

Free Damilola Ayeni Now, Journalism is Not a Crime in our Shared Humanity

“Mr. Damilola Ayeni’s star is on the rise, and his blooming career must not be cut short by this inhumane treatment. Now is the time to bring Damilola Ayeni home. Another matter is whether the people in Benin Republic will listen to the united voices of our common humanity calling for freedom.” 

The fact of the matter is this: Damilola Ayeni, a young Nigerian investigative Journalist, has been inhumanely arrested and detained by law enforcement authorities in the Neighboring West African country of Benin Republic. Tuesday’s alarming report by www.fij.ng reads: “‘ Damilola Ayeni, Editor of the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), is currently being detained at the Commisseria Central, Parakou Police Station, in Parakou, Republic of Benin, by the Beninese Police.” The story adds: “Ayeni was on a trip to the Republic of Benin for the second leg of a Nigeria-Benin environmental journalism report when the authorities of Nigeria’s western neighbors seized him in the largest city in their northern region.”

At this moment, the utmost safety and freedom of the young, promising environmental journalist should be the concern of all who cherish the inalienable rights of all to freedom of expression and work. Damilola was pursuing truths and his genuine and legitimate means of livelihood when he fell into harm’s way. No journalist or media professional should have to go out to work with a haunting fear for their safety and that of their sources. Mr. Ayeni’s arrest is one arrest too many in Africa and around the world for media professionals.

Now is the time for the authorities in the peace-loving country of Benin to free a traumatized Mr. Ayeni, an “environmental expert and activist” whose intellectual and professional works will enrich our limited understanding of the environment and safeguard it for future generations. Mr. Ayeni is on a laudable path toward improving our shared humanity. His journalistic endeavors seek to enlighten, not to destroy. He must not for any second endure unnecessary physical and mental torture. 

Mr. Damilola Ayeni has a glowing future ahead of him, having been longlisted for the “2023 edition of the One World Media Awards’ International Journalist of the Year category, his organization writes. FIJ adds: “he was also shortlisted for the 2021 edition of Thomson Foundation Young Journalists (FPA) Award’s environment category.”

Mr. Damilola Ayeni’s star is on the rise, and his blooming career must not be cut short by this inhumane treatment. Now is the time to bring Damilola Ayeni home. Another matter is whether the people in Benin Republic will listen to the united voices of our common humanity calling for freedom. But we must keep our muscular hope alive because our society will always win with God on our side.

Twitter (X): @fijnigeria