- The foundation called on the military authorities to ensure that all evidence on the journalist’s devices is preserved and protected.
Fisayo Soyombo, founder of the Foundation for Investigative Journalism, has been reportedly taken into custody by the 6 Division of the Nigerian Army in Port Harcourt.
The Foundation for Investigative Journalism announced on Friday on its X page that Soyombo has been held by the army for three days.
- “The 6 Division of the Nigerian Army in Port Harcourt has been detaining our founder @fisayosoyombo 3 days running. “Journalism is not a crime! #FreeFisayoNow.
“The army has confiscated all his devices. It’s essential that the army preserves the 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.”
Details surrounding Soyombo’s detention are still unclear. His arrest occurred two months after the Foundation for Investigative Journalism reported that Department of State Services officials were targeting him.
Soyombo is renowned for exposing corruption and abuse of power, which has led to threats and intimidation.
On November 18, he released videos supporting his allegations of smuggling involving Nigerian Customs Service officers.
Soyombo claimed that customs personnel conspired with a smuggler to illegally bring in cars and rice.
In 2019, Soyombo went undercover in Ikoyi Prison for eight days, exposing corruption among prison officials. He later wrote a three-part report on his experience.
On October 5, 2024, Soyombo appeared on Arise TV’s ‘Perspectives’ programme, discussing the nation’s prison system.
Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo subsequently invited Soyombo for a discussion on reforming the Nigerian correctional service.
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