Key Point

• Soyombo detained by Nigerian Army for three days.

• #FreeFisayoNow campaign contributes to his release.

• FIJ questions Army’s claim of Soyombo’s involvement in oil theft.

After a vigorous media campaign demanding his release, Fisayo Soyombo, the founder and editor-in-chief of the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), was freed by the Nigerian Army.

Nigerian Army detains FIJ founder Fisayo Soyombo for three days

According to FIJ, which verified Soyombo’s release on Friday, it came after the hashtag #FreeFisayoNow garnered a lot of attention on social media.

In Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Soyombo was held for three days by the Nigerian Army’s 6th Division, according to FIJ.

“Our founder @fisayosoyombo has been detained by the 6th Division of the Nigerian Army in Port Harcourt for three days,” the outlet wrote in a social media post expressing alarm over the situation. Being a journalist is not illegal! “#FreeFisayoNow,” FIJ posted on Twitter.

Danjuma Danjuma, acting deputy director of 6th Division Army Public Relations, responded to the situation by addressing the allegations of Soyombo’s detention in a statement.

Army responds: Soyombo arrested at illegal oil bunkering site

 The Army said that Soyombo was arrested in an illegal oil bunkering facility, refuting the claims of wrongful arrest.

According to the Army, intelligence assessments had shown the existence of a well-known gang in the area engaged in oil theft, which includes pipeline destruction and illicit oil connections.

The Army responded to this by stepping up operations to stop illicit oil bunkering.

“In a purposeful operation, troops tracked the criminals to an illegal oil bunkering site,” Danjuma added in his statement. Troops raided the location in a later operation and arrested several, including Fisayo Soyombo.

According to businessday,  he underlined that the arrest was a component of a larger operation that aimed to stop criminal activity in the area.

However, the Army’s version of events was rejected by FIJ. The outlet promised to respond to the Army’s allegations that Soyombo was involved in unlawful oil bunkering.

It also voiced serious concerns about Soyombo’s safety, especially since the Army had known about his investigative work while he was being held.

FIJ stated, “We are evaluating the situation and hoping that his safety won’t be compromised after his release.”

The source went on to say that it would keep an eye on the situation and respond appropriately to the Army’s remarks.