Nigerian Army Says Investigative Journalist Soyombo Arrested During Recent Operation on Oil Bunkering in P/Harcourt

The Nigerian Army’s 6 Division in Port Harcourt has claimed that the arrest of investigative journalist and founder of the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), Fisayo Soyombo was during a recent operation targeting illegal oil bunkering in the Port Harcourt region.

This comes after an earlier X post by FIJ, stating that Soyombo has been held in custody for three days.

In a statement signed by Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, Acting Deputy Director of 6 Division Army Public Relations the army explained that Soyombo was apprehended during a recent operation targeting illegal oil bunkering in the Port Harcourt region.

According to the Army, the operation followed intelligence that led troops to an illegal oil bunkering site, where several suspects were arrested, including Soyombo.

The Army stressed that preliminary investigations were underway to determine the level of involvement of all the suspects.

However, The Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ) has accused the military of attempting to destroy “crucial evidence” on Soyombo’s devices, after an earlier seizure was made during his arrest.

FIJ in a statement expressed concern that the Army may be attempting to manipulate or conceal vital information related to Soyombo’s investigative work.

All his devices have been seized. The Army must preserve his evidence and truth. Don’t destroy the evidence.
We insist the truth must come out. It’s in your custody, don’t destroy the evidence.

Soyombo’s work as an investigative journalist and his recent criticisms of the government on social media, especially on the Nigerian Customs Service has put him on the risk of possible detention.

Soyombo is renowned for his daring undercover work exposing corruption in Nigeria. In September, he raised an alarm of an imminent DSS operative’s plan to apprehend him once his whereabouts were confirmed.

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Oluwasegun Sanusi

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