During the Nigerian Civil War, Soyinka called for a ceasefire in an article. For this purpose he was arrested in 1967, accused of conspiring with the Biafrans and held as a political prisoner for 22 months until 1969.
In 1965, Soyinka was arrested after taking control of a radio station at gunpoint and broadcasting a message condemning electoral fraud in western Nigeria. His imprisonment sparked international protests and a year later he was acquitted on a technicality.
In 1966, two military coups occurred, and Nigeria appeared to be heading toward civil war after Colonel Odumegwu Ojukwu declared southeastern Nigeria the independent Republic of Biafra. Those charges were dropped after Abacha’s death in 1998.
Soyinka continues to live and work in Nigeria and the United States.
