Nigerian investigative journalist and founder of the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), Fisayo Soyombo, has addressed his detention by the Nigerian Army’s 6 Division in connection with alleged illegal oil bunkering.
FIJ had earlier reported that its founder was detained in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. However, the Nigerian Army clarified in a statement issued by Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah, Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations for the 6 Division, that Soyombo was arrested alongside other suspected oil thieves at an illegal oil bunkering site.
Following public outcry and pressure from various quarters, the army released Soyombo on Friday night.
In a statement on Saturday, Soyombo expressed gratitude to Nigerians for their advocacy, stating that his freedom was a result of collective action.
“I’m a free man today because of your social media engagements with #FreeFisayoNow and the publications and broadcasts by the traditional media. After my arrest at about 2am on Wednesday, I was interrogated by multiple levels of the Army until late that night,” he recounted.
Soyombo revealed that despite being promised further questioning on Thursday, no action was taken. By Friday morning, he was unexpectedly transferred to the Military Intelligence Brigade (MIB), where someone identified him as the journalist in the news.
“Without your pressure, I’d still be in that cell, away from civilisation and held incommunicado. This victory is because of you. Thank you,” he said.
The journalist’s release highlights the power of collective advocacy in safeguarding press freedom and human rights in Nigeria.
