THE 6 Division of the Nigerian Army in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, has reportedly been holding the founder of the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), Fisayo Soyombo, in detention for three days.
In a statement shared on its X handle, on Friday, November 29, FIJ described the detention as unjust and an attack on press freedom. It said, “Journalism is not a crime!”
The organisation called for immediate action for his release, using the hashtag #FreeFisayoNow to amplify its demand.
“The 6 Division of the Nigerian Army in Port Harcourt has been detaining our founder @fisayosoyombo three days running. Journalism is not a crime! #FreeFisayoNow,” the post read.
In another post, FIJ stated that “All his devices have been seized,” calling on the Nigerian Army to “preserve his evidence and truth.
“Don’t destroy the evidence. We insist the truth must come out. It’s in your custody, don’t destroy the evidence,” the statement added.
The news of his detention has generated outcry on social media, particularly on X, with many condemning his detention.
However, despite public outcry, the Nigerian Army has yet to officially confirm the detention or provide an explanation for Soyombo’s detention.
The ICIR reached out to the Army spokesperson, Clement Nwachukwu, but his number wasn’t going through, and he has yet to reply to a text message sent to his phone line hasn’t been returned.
This is not the first time Soyombo, a renowned investigative journalist and editor, has been detained for his journalism work. Known for exposing corruption and systemic failures, Soyombo has long been a target for scrutiny by powerful figures.
Recently, the journalist has been outspoken about the role of the Nigerian Customs Service in smuggling rice, arms, and other goods into the country.
This followed his report revealing that smugglers could bring all sorts of goods into Nigeria as long as they bribed Customs officials.
The report also highlighted that officials of the NCS only publish the names of smugglers who refuse to bribe them.
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.
According to this organisation’s findings, at least 39 Nigerian journalists were harassed across the country by state and non-state actors in 2023.
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