BREAKING: Nigerian Army Releases Fisayo Soyombo After Days in Detention, FIJ Shares Concern

BREAKING: Nigerian Army Releases Fisayo Soyombo After Days in Detention, FIJ Shares Concern

  • The Nigerian Army has released Fisayo Soyombo, founder of the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), after detaining him for three days
  • Legit.ng recalls that Soyombo was arrested by the 6 Division of the Nigerian Army in Port Harcourt, Rivers state
  • The FIJ confirmed that following the intense media campaign calling for the release of Soyombo, the journalist has finally been released

Legit.ng journalist Ridwan Adeola Yusuf has over 9 years of experience covering public affairs.

Port Harcourt, Rivers state - The Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ) on Friday evening, November 29, confirmed the release of popular undercover journalist, Fisayo Soyombo.

Legit.ng had reported how Soyombo was arrested on Tuesday, November 26, 2024, in Port Harcourt, Rivers state.

Nigerian Army releases journalist Fisayo Soyombo
Nigerian Army releases Fisayo Soyombo. Photo credit: @fisayosoyombo
Source: Twitter

The Nigerian Army said the FIJ founder was arrested at an illegal oil bunkering site.

Soyombo’s arrest triggered a wave of condemnatory comments on social media.

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FIJ concerned about Fisayo Soyombo's safety

But providing an update on Friday evening, FIJ disclosed that their founder has been released. However, it added that its “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.”

FIJ's statement reads:

“We can confirm that our founder @fisayosoyombo has now been released by @HQNigerianArmy, 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.”

The organisation added:

“We are assessing the situation and hoping that his safety will not be jeopardised after release.”

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DSS 'arrests' prominent Kano activist

Earlier, Legit.ng reported that operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) reportedly arrested a prominent Kano state-based activist, Zubair Zubair.

Zubair, who has been vocal in his criticisms of the President Bola Tinubu-led administration, was reportedly arrested in Kano and transported to Abuja.

Source: Legit.ng

Authors:
Ridwan Adeola avatar

Ridwan Adeola (Current Affairs Editor) Ridwan Adeola Yusuf is a content creator with more than nine years of experience, He is also a Current Affairs Editor at Legit.ng. He holds a Higher National Diploma in Mass Communication from the Polytechnic Ibadan, Oyo State (2014). Ridwan previously worked at Africa Check, contributing to fact-checking research works within the organisation. He is an active member of the Academic Excellence Initiative (AEI). In March 2024, Ridwan completed the full Google News Initiative Lab workshop and his effort was recognised with a Certificate of Completion. Email: ridwan.adeola@corp.legit.ng.