Fisayo Soyombo, a Nigerian investigative journalist and founder of the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), has been released by the Nigerian Army after being detained for three days.
On Friday, the FIJ confirmed via a social media post that Soyombo had been arrested by the Army’s 6th Division.
According to a statement from the Nigerian Army released on its official X account, Soyombo was apprehended at an illegal oil bunkering site and was detained on suspicion of involvement in the illicit oil theft.
However, following a vigorous media campaign advocating for his release, the FIJ announced Soyombo’s freedom. “We can confirm that our founder, Fisayo Soyombo, has now been released by the Nigerian Army, following the intense media campaign you all mounted,” FIJ stated.
The Foundation further expressed its intention to address the Army’s claim that Soyombo had participated in illegal oil bunkering. “FIJ acknowledges the Nigerian Army’s deliberate mischaracterisation to suggest an involvement in ‘illegal oil bunkering.’ FIJ will also address this statement appropriately,” the post continued.
The FIJ’s immediate concern, however, was Soyombo’s safety. “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 concluded.
