By Olaitan Ibrahim
Nigerian investigative journalist, Fisayo Soyombo, has been released by the Nigerian Army following mounting public and media pressure.
Soyombo, known for his fearless exposés on corruption and abuse, was reportedly held by the military operatives in Port Harcourt earlier this week.
The journalist regained his freedom on Friday evening, according to a statement by the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), the organisation he founded.
While confirming his release, the FIJ expressed concerns for Soyombo’s safety, citing fears of reprisals from Nigerian security agencies over his recent investigative work.
Soyombo’s detention was condemned by civil society organisations, and international media bodies, who viewed his arrest as a troubling attack on free speech.
The statement read, “We can confirm that our founder ‘Fisayo Soyombo has now been released by the Nigerian Army, following the intense media campaign you all mounted.
“FIJ acknowledges the Nigerian Army’s deliberate mischaracterisation to suggest an involvement in “illegal oil bunkering”. FIJ will also address this statement appropriately.
“Our immediate concern is regarding the safety of ‘Fisayo Soyombo in view of extensive information sharing with the Army on his fieldwork during the period of his detention. We are assessing the situation and hoping that his safety will not be jeopardised after release,” FIJ said.
Earlier, Sahara Reporters reported that the Nigerian Army claimed that Soyombo was arrested alongside other suspects at an oil bunkering site in Port-Harcourt, Rivers State.
Reacting in a statement made available to Sahara Reporters, the Acting Deputy Director Army Public Relations, 6 Division, Lt Col Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, confirmed that Soyombo was being detained by the military, adding that its troops swooped on an illegal oil bunkering site, where arrests were made.