Fisayo Soyombo’s detention had drawn widespread condemnation from civil society organizations and press freedom advocates, who described it as an attack on journalism and a violation of press rights.
Port Harcourt, Nigeria – The Nigerian Army has released investigative journalist Fisayo Soyombo after detaining him for three days. His arrest and subsequent detention had sparked widespread criticism and calls for his release.
Soyombo, the founder of the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), was reportedly arrested at a site alleged to be used for illegal oil bunkering in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
FIJ raised alarm over his detention on its official X (formerly Twitter) account, stating:
“The 6 Division of the Nigerian Army in Port Harcourt has been detaining our founder, Fisayo Soyombo, for three days. Journalism is not a crime.”
The Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations for the 6 Division, Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Danjuma, confirmed Soyombo’s detention, explaining it was connected to intelligence linking a group of suspected oil thieves to pipeline sabotage and illegal connections. Danjuma added that Soyombo and other suspects arrested at the scene were undergoing preliminary investigations to determine their roles in the alleged activities.
However, following mounting pressure, the Army released Soyombo on Friday evening. His lawyer, Abimbola Ojenike, confirmed the development, stating:
“He has just been released some minutes ago. And we are trying to find our way out of the cantonment. He was released to his lawyers. Technically, that means when his attention is needed, his lawyers would have to produce him. But it is not like the regular bail process.”
Soyombo’s detention had drawn widespread condemnation from civil society organizations and press freedom advocates, who described it as an attack on journalism and a violation of press rights.
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