Nigerian Army Arrests, Detains Investigative Journalist Fisayo Soyombo in Port Harcourt

The 6th Division of the Nigerian Army in Port Harcourt has reportedly detained Fisayo Soyombo, an investigative journalist and founder of the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), for three consecutive days.

Soyombo’s detention is believed to be connected to his recent investigative reports exposing alleged corruption and smuggling activities within the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS).

In a statement issued on Friday, the FIJ condemned the arrest, describing it as a direct attack on press freedom. The organization demanded his immediate release and urged the military to respect journalistic integrity.

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“Journalism is not a crime. The Army must release our founder, Fisayo Soyombo, who has been in their custody for three days,” the statement read.

The FIJ expressed concerns over the seizure of Soyombo’s devices, fearing potential tampering with critical evidence linked to his investigations.

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“We urge the Nigerian Army to preserve all evidence. The truth must prevail, and any attempt to destroy or manipulate the information will be resisted,” FIJ warned.

Soyombo, known for his fearless reporting on corruption, human rights abuses, and systemic failures, has faced numerous threats in the past.

Earlier this month, he published a series of videos highlighting smuggling operations allegedly facilitated by Customs officials.

The FIJ reiterated its call for accountability, urging the military to respect press freedom and allow justice to take its course.

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