The Safety and Protection of Journalists (SPJ) hub of the International Press Centre (IPC), Lagos has demanded the immediate release of Nigerian investigative journalist and publisher of an online newspaper, Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), Fisayo Soyombo.
The organisation made the demand in a statement signed by Melody Akinjiyan,
Press Freedom Officer, IPC on Friday.
Soyombo was arrested and detained by the 6 Division of the Nigerian Army in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The Army claimed he was picked up at the site of oil bunkering.
The statement read:
“Information reaching the hub on Friday via @fijnigeria official X (formerly twitter) handle, indicates that Soyombo has been in the Army’s custody for the last three days.
“The 6 Division of the Nigerian Army in Port Harcourt has been detaining our founder ‘Fisayo Soyombo 3 days running. Journalism is not a crime,” FIJ said.
The statement further stated that : ” SPJ is deeply worried about Soyombo’s safety considering that he has previously faced threats and harassments over investigative reports he published.
“SPJ demands the immediate release of Fisayo Soyombo from the Nigerian Army’s custody
