The Nigerian Army has released investigative journalist Fisayo Soyombo, who had been detained for three days in connection with an alleged oil theft operation.
Soyombo’s lawyer, Abimbola Ojenike, confirmed his release shortly after 7 p.m. in a telephone interview, stating, “He has just been released a few minutes ago, and we are now making our way out of the cantonment. He is free and has been released into the custody of his lawyers. Technically, if his presence is needed, his lawyers will produce him, but this is not a standard bail process.”
The Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ) confirmed Soyombo’s detention on social media, stating, “The 6 Division of the Nigerian Army in Port Harcourt has been detaining our founder, Fisayo Soyombo, for three days. Journalism is not a crime.”
Earlier, the Acting Deputy Director of the 6 Division Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Danjuma, had confirmed Soyombo’s arrest, explaining that the journalist was apprehended at an illegal oil bunkering site. Danjuma noted that Soyombo, along with other suspects arrested during the raid, was undergoing preliminary investigations to assess their involvement in the alleged illegal activities.
