Fisayo Soyombo, the founder of the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), has spoken out following his detention by the Nigerian Army’s 6 Division in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, over alleged involvement in illegal oil bunkering.
The incident, which garnered widespread attention, was initially reported by FIJ, stating that their founder had been detained by the Army. In a statement on Friday, the Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah, claimed that Soyombo was arrested alongside other suspects at an illegal oil bunkering site.
Amid mounting public outcry and the social media campaign #FreeFisayoNow, the Army released Soyombo on Friday night. His detention had sparked significant backlash, with many calling for his immediate freedom.
Soyombo’s Account of the Ordeal
Reacting to his release in a statement on Saturday, Soyombo expressed deep gratitude to Nigerians for their support and advocacy, crediting their efforts for his freedom.
“I’m a free man today because of your social media engagements with #FreeFisayoNow and the coverage by the traditional media. And I can prove it,” he said.
Detailing his experience, Soyombo recounted how he was arrested around 2 a.m. on Wednesday and subjected to intense questioning by different levels of the Army throughout the day.
“I didn’t return to my cell until at least 11 p.m. on Wednesday. My case was then forwarded to a higher office for further interrogation on Thursday,” he explained.
However, Thursday passed without any questioning, with Soyombo learning that the Army intended to take “as long as it wanted” to investigate his claims of being an investigative journalist.
“To my utmost surprise, on Friday morning, I was suddenly retrieved from my cell for transfer to the Military Intelligence Brigade (MIB). During the transfer, someone who crossed paths with me asked my name and exclaimed: ‘You’re the one; you’re in the news.’ That was when I realized the extent of public pressure,” he stated.
Soyombo emphasized that public advocacy played a critical role in his release, saying, “Without your pressure, I’d still be in that cell, held incommunicado and cut off from civilization. My freedom is your freedom, and this victory exists because of you.”
His detention has reignited discussions about press freedom and the challenges faced by investigative journalists in Nigeria, particularly those working on sensitive issues like corruption and illegal activities. Soyombo’s release underscores the power of collective action in holding authorities accountable.
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