The Nigerian Army has confirmed the arrest and detention of investigative journalist Fisayo Soyombo, founder of the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), following an operation targeting illegal oil bunkering in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
In a statement on Friday, Acting Deputy Director of 6 Division Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma John Danjuma, stated that Soyombo was apprehended alongside other suspects at an illegal oil bunkering site.
The operation was part of the Division’s intensified efforts to dismantle criminal networks involved in oil theft and pipeline vandalism in the region.
The Army explained that intelligence reports led troops to the site where arrests were made. Soyombo’s presence at the location has drawn scrutiny, with preliminary investigations ongoing to determine the extent of his involvement.
FIJ had earlier disclosed that Soyombo had been detained for three days without access to communication or legal representation. The organisation called for transparency, urging the Army to preserve evidence and release Soyombo immediately, emphasizing his role as a journalist.
The arrest has sparked widespread reactions on social media. Critics condemned the action, labeling it a threat to press freedom. Human rights activist Rinu Oduala questioned the justification for detaining a journalist, while lawyer Ridwan Oke highlighted Soyombo’s history of exposing corruption in Nigeria, calling his detention a targeted suppression of truth.
The Army has defended its actions, cautioning media outlets to verify information before publication and reaffirming its commitment to curbing oil theft in the Niger Delta. It reassured the public that the suspects’ involvement in the criminal activities is being thoroughly investigated.
This incident adds to growing concerns over press freedom in Nigeria, ranked 123 out of 180 countries in the 2023 global press freedom index by Reporters Without Borders. The report cited regular monitoring, attacks, and arbitrary arrests of journalists in the country, with perpetrators often escaping accountability.
Efforts by journalists and advocacy groups, including Amnesty International and SERAP, continue to push for Soyombo’s release, urging the government to uphold the principles of democracy and press freedom
Be the first to comment