Army releases Fisayo Soyombo — after three days in detention

The Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ) says its founder Fisayo Soyombo has been released from detention by the Nigerian Army.

On Friday, FIJ reported that Soyombo had been arrested and detained for three days by the 6 Division of the Nigerian Army in Port Harcourt, the capital of Rivers state.

But the military authorities said Soyombo was arrested at an illegal oil bunkering site.

In a post on X on Friday evening, FIJ confirmed that the journalist has been released.

“We can confirm that our founder@fisayosoyombo has now been released by@HQNigerianArmy, following the intense media campaign you all mounted,” the post reads.

“FIJ acknowledges the Nigerian Army’s deliberate mischaracterisation to suggest an involvement in “illegal oil bunkering”. FIJ will also address this statement appropriately.

“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.”