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I Wasn’t Arrested – Fisayo Soyombo Speaks On Detention

Published

9 hours ago

Nov 30, 2024.

Nigerian investigative journalist and founder of the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), Fisayo Soyombo, has denied claims by the Nigerian Army that he was arrested alongside suspected oil bunkerers during an undercover investigation in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

Soyombo was detained for three days by the 6 Division of the Nigerian Army before his release, which FIJ confirmed on Friday.

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that earlier, the Acting Deputy Director of 6 Division Army Public Relations, Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, stated that Soyombo and others were apprehended in connection with oil bunkering activities and were undergoing preliminary investigations to determine their involvement.

However, in an interview with Arise TV, Soyombo clarified the circumstances surrounding the incident. He explained that he was not arrested with oil thieves but had approached the soldiers under the impression they were facilitating a settlement.

“There was no arrest. The Nigerian Army did not arrest me. They spotted me, flashed their torch, and I came out to open a conversation. I didn’t show them my ID because I believed it was a settlement conversation. The illegal bunkerers had claimed they had bribed everyone except the soldiers present,” Soyombo stated.

The journalist admitted that he had not informed the Nigerian Army about his investigation due to a lack of trust in public institutions, noting that involving the army could have jeopardized his safety.

“I didn’t carry them along because I didn’t trust them. Known illegal oil bunkerers were bribing various security formations, and I would have endangered my life without knowing who to trust,” he added.

Soyombo further disclosed that he maintained his cover as an illegal oil bunkerer while detained at the military camp until he was taken to the 6 Division headquarters. It was at this point he revealed his true identity as an undercover journalist and presented evidence of his work.

Arrested Fisayo Soyombo Detention

The journalist’s ordeal highlights the risks faced by investigative reporters in Nigeria, especially when exposing criminal activities and corruption involving powerful institutions.