THE Nigerian Army has released the founder of the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), Fisayo Soyombo, after spending three days in custody of the Army’s 6 Division in Port Harcourt.
His release followed widespread public outcry over his detention.
The FIJ confirmed Soyombo’s release in a statement on Friday, November 29, attributing it to the “intense media campaign” mounted by concerned individuals and organisations.
The Army had claimed that Soyombo was arrested during a raid on an illegal oil bunkering site, a claim FIJ has dismissed as a deliberate mischaracterisation of his presence at the location.
“FIJ acknowledges the Nigerian Army’s deliberate mischaracterisation to suggest an involvement in “illegal oil bunkering”. FIJ will also address this statement appropriately,” the organisation said in its statement on X.
The media platform expressed concerns over Soyombo’s safety following his release, noting that sensitive information about his field work was shared with the Army during his detention.
“Our immediate concern is regarding the safety of ‘Fisayo Soyombo in view of extensive information sharing with the Army on his fieldwork during the period of his detention. We are assessing the situation and hoping that his safety will not be jeopardised after release.” the statement added.
Background
The ICIR reported that Soyombo was arrested and detained on Tuesday, November 26, during what the Army described as a crackdown on illegal oil bunkering in the Niger Delta.
According to the Army, he was found at the scene of oil bunkering and was undergoing preliminary investigations to determine his level of involvement.
The FIJ, however, accused the Army of unjustly detaining Soyombo, a renowned investigative journalist known for his hard-hitting reports on corruption and systemic failures in Nigeria.
The organisation also raised alarms over the confiscation of his devices, urging the Army not to tamper with any evidence related to his ongoing work.
Soyombo’s arrest generated widespread condemnations from media, civil society organisations, and Nigerians who described the detention as an attack on press freedom.
The hashtag #FreeFisayoNow, #FreeFisayoSoyomboNow trended on social media, following the news of his detention
The ICIR reports that there have been efforts to suppress media and civic space in Nigeria over the years.
The 2024 data by Reporters Without Borders (RSF) placed Nigeria as one of West Africa’s most dangerous and difficult countries for journalists.
By this, Nigeria ranks 112th out of 180 countries where journalists are regularly monitored, attacked and arbitrarily arrested.
In 2020, The ICIR reported that 160 journalists were attacked in two years, as the country was ranked 115th out of 180 countries on the Global Press Freedom Index.
Also, The ICIR reported that 63 journalists and three media houses experienced various attacks in 2022.
Usman Mustapha is a solution journalist with International Centre for Investigative Reporting. You can easily reach him via: umustapha@icirnigeria.com. He tweets @UsmanMustapha_M