Fisayo Soyombo, a prominent Nigerian investigative journalist, has regained his freedom after spending three days in military custody.
His release on Friday evening was confirmed by the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), an organisation he founded.
Soyombo’s detention sparked outrage from civil society organisations, media bodies, and free speech advocates across the globe.
According to FIJ, the journalist was detained by Nigerian Army operatives in Port Harcourt earlier this week.
Soyombo is widely known for his fearless reporting, particularly on corruption and human rights abuses in Nigeria.
The FIJ, while expressing relief at his release, raised concerns about his safety.
“We can confirm that our founder, Fisayo Soyombo, has now been released by the Nigerian Army,” the FIJ’s statement read.
The organisation thanked the public and media for their support during the campaign for his freedom.
However, the FIJ highlighted its fears regarding possible reprisals against Soyombo following his detention.
“Our immediate concern is regarding the safety of Fisayo Soyombo,” the statement continued.
It added that the journalist had shared extensive information about his investigative work with the military during his detention.
The FIJ noted that it would closely monitor the situation to ensure Soyombo’s safety.
“We hope that his safety will not be jeopardised after his release,” the FIJ concluded.
The Nigerian Army, in a statement, alleged that Soyombo was arrested at an illegal oil bunkering site in Port Harcourt.
Lt. Col. Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations for the 6 Division, confirmed the journalist’s detention.
He claimed that military troops had raided the site and made several arrests, including Soyombo’s.
The army’s allegations shocked many, given Soyombo’s reputation for exposing illegal activities rather than participating in them.
A Battle for Free Speech
Soyombo’s arrest drew swift condemnation from local and international media organisations.
Many viewed the incident as a direct attack on press freedom in Nigeria.
Human rights activists decried the growing trend of harassment and intimidation of journalists in the country.
Civil society groups organised protests and online campaigns demanding Soyombo’s release.
“We will not stand by while voices of truth are silenced,” one activist said during a rally in Lagos.
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) also issued a statement, urging Nigerian authorities to respect press freedom.
“Journalists must be free to do their work without fear of intimidation or unlawful detention,” CPJ’s Africa Programme Coordinator, Angela Quintal, stated.
Public Outcry Forces Army’s Hand
The mounting pressure from the public and international bodies likely played a significant role in securing Soyombo’s release.
Social media platforms were flooded with messages demanding justice for the detained journalist.
Hashtags such as #FreeFisayo trended for days, drawing global attention to the case.
Many Nigerians hailed Soyombo’s release as a victory for press freedom.
“This is a win for all of us,” a Twitter user posted shortly after the news broke.
The Road Ahead for Soyombo
The FIJ has vowed to hold the Nigerian Army accountable for what it described as a deliberate attempt to mischaracterise its founder.
“FIJ will address this statement appropriately,” the organisation promised.
For now, the focus remains on ensuring Soyombo’s safety and well-being.
Supporters continue to call for vigilance, fearing that the journalist could face further harassment.
“We must protect our journalists,” a human rights lawyer emphasised.
Soyombo’s ordeal serves as a stark reminder of the dangers faced by investigative reporters in Nigeria.
As the dust settles, many are left questioning the state of press freedom in the country.
For Soyombo and others like him, the fight for truth and accountability continues
