The 6 Division of the Nigerian Army in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, has been holding the founder of the Foundation for Investigative Journalism, Fisayo Soyombo, in detention for three days.
In a statement shared via its X.com handle, on Friday, FIJ described the detention as unjust and an attack on press freedom. It said, “Journalism is not a crime!”
The organisation called for immediate action for his release, using the hashtag #FreeFisayoNow to amplify its demand.
The statement reads, “The 6 Division of the Nigerian Army in Port Harcourt has been detaining our founder @fisayosoyombo three days running. Journalism is not a crime! #FreeFisayoNow,”
In another post, FIJ stated that “All his devices have been seized,” calling on the Nigerian Army to “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,” the statement added.
Reacting to his arrest, the Acting Deputy Director of 6 Division Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Danjuma, in a statement on Friday explained that the operation leading to Soyombo’s detention followed intelligence regarding a notorious gang of oil thieves involved in pipeline sabotage and illegal oil connections in the region.
Danjuma stated that the suspects arrested at the site, including Soyombo, are currently undergoing preliminary investigations to determine their level of involvement.
The news of his detention has generated outcry on social media, particularly on X, with many condemning his detention.
An X user, #Ridwanullahi wrote, “I just got information that @fisayosoyombo has been in detention for the past three days with the 6 Division of the Nigerian Army in Port Harcourt. Journalism is not a crime! @HQNigerianArmy , #FreeFisayoNow !!!”
Another user #Arakunrin wrote, “The Army must respect the freedom of the press since journalism is not a crime. A democratic society must eradicate lawlessness. #FreeFisayo.”
#Radio_child wrote, “@HQNigerianArmy why don’t you just arrest and detain every one in the country. You’re not charging him to court, you’re not handing him over to the police. Do you have plans to kill him ow what?.”
#Ebitu said, “In Nigeria, the situation is unprecedented, with the military operating as though the nation is under military rule or facing a significant crisis that requires their intervention in civilian matters, despite the principles of democracy. Too bad.”
#Hafeez said, “Since when did it become a crime to keep the people abreast of issues in the country. The army did not arrest the smugglers bringing in things illegally into the country or even the corrupt public servants but it’s a journalist you like flexing your powers for. #FreeFisayoNow.”
