Soyombo’s Arrest Part of Effort to Conceal Navy’s Role in Oil Theft – Adeyanju

Human rights lawyer Deji Adeyanju has strongly condemned the arrest of investigative journalist Fisayo Soyombo, calling it an attack on press freedom.

On Friday, Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Danjuma, Acting Deputy Director of 6 Division Army Public Relations, confirmed Soyombo’s arrest, explaining that it occurred during a military operation targeting a notorious gang involved in pipeline sabotage and oil theft. According to the statement, intelligence had revealed the gang’s activities, leading to the operation, during which Soyombo was arrested at an illegal oil bunkering site.

The military statement clarified that Soyombo’s arrest was linked to the oil theft activities in the region and stated that the suspects were undergoing preliminary investigations to determine their involvement. It also urged media outlets to verify the accuracy of the information they report.

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In response, Adeyanju condemned Soyombo’s detention, which lasted for three days, as a deliberate attempt to stifle investigative journalism. He criticized the military for using an anti-oil theft operation as a pretext to silence Soyombo, who has worked to expose corruption in the country. He also pointed out that the military’s statement ignored the Navy’s role in facilitating large-scale oil theft.

“I condemn the unjust arrest of Fisayo Soyombo, a respected journalist, who was detained for three days under the guise of an anti-oil theft operation,” Adeyanju said. “This is a direct attack on press freedom and an attempt to suppress his work exposing corruption. His detention undermines accountability and must end immediately.”

Adeyanju highlighted that senior Navy officers are often complicit in oil theft, exploiting their postings in oil-rich areas for personal gain. He argued that large-scale oil theft would not be possible without the Navy’s involvement or approval, contributing to ongoing economic sabotage.

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The lawyer also expressed concern over the seizure of Soyombo’s equipment, calling it an effort to intimidate and suppress investigative journalism. “Silencing journalists like Fisayo only erodes public trust,” Adeyanju added. “Nigerians deserve transparency on oil theft, and protecting investigative journalism is crucial to upholding democracy and justice.”

Adeyanju urged the government to respect press freedom and called on civil society, the media, and the public to resist any attempts to suppress investigative reporting. He demanded Soyombo’s immediate release and the protection of press freedom to expose systemic corruption.

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