On August 31, 2023, authorities in Benin detained Nigerian environmental journalist Damilola Ayeni, who works for the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ). According to reports, the journalist was reporting in Benin’s northwestern Pendjari National Park. Ayeni was transferred to Cotonou, Benin’s capital, and arraigned before a court for suspected terrorism and espionage for taking pictures at the park, with authorities claiming he had no authorization to be there. Ayeni was released on September 7, 2023.