The Nigerian Army has announced that its operatives arrested investigative journalist, Fisayo Soyombo, on suspicion of engaging in illegal oil bunkering.
Soyombo, the founder of the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), has reportedly been detained for three days.
The FIJ, in a statement on Friday, called for his immediate release and raised the alarm over the increasing threats to press freedom in the country.
“The 6 Division of the Nigerian Army in Port Harcourt has been detaining our founder, Fisayo Soyombo for 3 days running. Journalism is not a crime,” FIJ said.
Soyombo, known for his investigative reporting on high-profile issues such as corruption, abuse of power, and human rights violations, has previously faced various threats and harassment.
Reacting in a statement, the Acting Deputy Director 6 Division Army Public Relations, Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, said Fisayo was arrested alongside other individuals engaging in oil bunkering.
He stated that all suspects are currently undergoing preliminary investigation to ascertain their level of involvement or otherwise.
The statement titled ‘ALLEGED DETENTION OF JOURNALIST IN PORT HARCOURT, MISLEADING’ reads: “The Headquarters, 6 Division, Nigerian Army has noted with utmost concern an allegation making the rounds on the social media by Sahara reporters today, 29 November 2024. In the publication, it was alleged that the Nigerian Army detained an investigative journalist in Port Harcourt. While the Division will not want to join issues with purveyors of falsehood and misinformation, It is important to put the records in proper perspective.
“You would recall that the Division has scaled up its anti-illegal oil bunkering operations with huge operational successes recorded. Only recently, intelligence revealed the existence of a notorious gang of oil thieves noted for bursting pipelines and illegal connections for oil theft in the region. In a deliberate operation conducted, troops trailed the criminals to an illegal oil bunkering site. In a subsequent operation carried out, troops swooped on the site, where arrests were made, including one Fisayo Soyombo who was also arrested at the scene.
“The suspects are currently undergoing preliminary investigation to ascertain their level of involvement or otherwise. Therefore, his arrest is not unconnected with the activities of these oil thieves in the region. It is, therefore, important for media outlets to ensure the veracity of their information before they place them in the public domain.
“The Division will like to reassure the general public of its commitment and responsiveness in ensuring the activities of criminal gangs, particularly oil thieves, are drastically curbed in the region. This, it is hoped will shore up oil and gas production in the country.”
While we await the results of the investigations of the Nigerian Army, it is hoped that due process would be followed.
