.He was picked up at oil bunkering site –Army
Renowned investigative journalist Fisayo Soyombo has reportedly been arrested and detained by the 6 Division of the Nigerian Army in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The arrest, which took place three days ago, has been confirmed by the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ).
His detention is believed to be connected with his work exposing corruption and smugglers aided by personnel of the Nigeria Customs Services.
Meanwhile, the FIJ has called for his immediate release and raised concerns over the increasing threats to press freedom in the country.
Renowned for his investigative reporting on high-profile issues such as corruption, abuse of power, and human rights violations, Soyombo has previously faced various threats and harassment. According to the Foundation, “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.”
Earlier in November, Sahara Reporters reported that Soyombo released more videos to support his smuggling allegations involving Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) officers.
In a statement on his verified social media handles, Soyombo alleged that Nigerian customs officers conspired with Adeyemi Habeeb Abdulganiy, an alleged multi-billionaire-naira smuggler better known as Abuga, to illegally pass about 2,000 cars and smuggle in bags of rice into the country.
He claimed the illegal operation was set to take place on Sunday, November 10, 2024. Soyombo wrote, “All is set. Your men, working with Adeyemi Habeeb Abdulganiy, the multi-billionaire-smuggler better known as Abuga, are primed to pass more than 2,000 cars containing at least 65 bags of rice each from Bebe in the Benin Republic into Sango, Nigeria. Some of these cars will enter Sango from the toll gate by driving against traffic, consequently endangering lives, while some will gain entry into Sango through Ifo; others will use the Oju-Ore-Ota route. Road users in Sango can expect traffic congestion early tomorrow morning unless this post prompts an about-face from the actors. I understand as well that soldiers from the 192 battalion at Owode will be patrolling during the journey to prevent any resistance. So, @CustomsNG, just so you know, the people are watching; they will be hysterically laughing at you when you announce ‘seizure of one million bags of rice and 25 cartons of guns’ later this week.” However, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) National Public Relations Officer, Abdullahi Aliyu Maiwada, told Sahara Reporters that Soyombo’s claims were fictitious, stating it was illogical for anyone to believe their personnel were involved in the illegal operation.
However, in its reaction, the Nigerian Army has confirmed that investigative journalist Fisayo Soyombo was arrested at an illegal oil bunkering site.
The army’s statement followed public outcry over Soyombo’s detention.
The Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ) disclosed on X (formerly Twitter) that Soyombo had been held in Army custody for the past three days.
“The 6 Division of the Nigerian Army in Port Harcourt has been detaining our founder, Fisayo Soyombo, for three days running. Journalism is not a crime,” FIJ said.
But confirming Soyombo’s arrest in a statement on Friday, the Acting Deputy Director of 6 Division Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Danjuma, explained that the operation leading to Soyombo’s detention followed intelligence regarding a notorious gang of oil thieves involved in pipeline sabotage and illegal oil connections in the region.
Danjuma added that the suspects arrested at the site, including Soyombo, were undergoing preliminary investigations to determine their level of involvement.
“You will recall that the Division has intensified its anti-illegal oil bunkering operations, achieving significant operational successes,” Danjuma stated according to
The Punch.
