The 6 Division of the Nigerian Army in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, has reportedly been holding the founder of the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), Fisayo Soyombo, in detention for three days.
In a statement shared on its X handle, on Friday, November 29, 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 6 Division of the Nigerian Army in Port Harcourt has been detaining our founder @fisayosoyombo three days running. Journalism is not a crime! #FreeFisayoNow,” the post read.
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.
The news of his detention has generated outcry on social media, particularly on X, with many condemning his detention.
However, despite public outcry, the Nigerian Army has yet to officially confirm the detention or provide an explanation for Soyombo’s detention.
The ICIR reached out to the Army spokesperson, Clement Nwachukwu, but his number wasn’t going through, and he has yet to reply to a text message sent to his phone line hasn’t been returned.
This is not the first time Soyombo, a renowned investigative journalist and editor, has been detained for his journalism work. Known for exposing corruption and systemic failures, Soyombo has long been a target for scrutiny by powerful figures.
