The Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ) has reported that its founder and editor-in-chief, Fisayo Soyombo, may be facing imminent Department of State Services (DSS) arrest. According to an unnamed security source cited on FIJ’s website, DSS operatives plan to apprehend Soyombo once his whereabouts are confirmed.
While the exact reason for the planned arrest remains unclear, FIJ suspects it may be related to Soyombo’s work as an investigative journalist or his recent criticisms of the government on social media platform X.
Soyombo, known for his undercover investigations, has recently exposed smuggling operations and corruption within the Nigeria Customs Service. One of FIJ’s recent publications also revealed that First Lady Oluremi Tinubu received N700 million from the state house for foreign trips between November 2023 and March 2024, despite her public statements that her family did not need Nigeria’s wealth.
Soyombo’s situation adds to the growing concerns about press freedom under President Bola Tinubu’s administration. At least 12 journalists have been detained since the present administration. Citizens have noted that Nigeria’s crackdown on media freedom and freedom of speech has become alarming.
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