The Nigerian Army has released investigative journalist Fisayo Soyombo after holding him in custody for three days.
One of his lawyers, Abimbola Ojenike, confirmed the development in a telephone interview, stating that Soyombo was released shortly after 7 p.m.
“He has just been released, and we are making our way out of the cantonment. He is now free and in the custody of his lawyers. This is not a standard bail process, but technically, if his attention is required, his lawyers will have to produce him,” Ojenike explained.
The Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), which Soyombo founded, earlier disclosed on X (formerly Twitter) that he was detained by the 6 Division of the Nigerian Army in Port Harcourt.
“The 6 Division of the Nigerian Army has detained our founder, Fisayo Soyombo, for three days. Journalism is not a crime,” FIJ stated.
Confirming the arrest earlier, the Acting Deputy Director of 6 Division Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Danjuma, revealed that Soyombo was apprehended at an illegal oil bunkering site.
According to Danjuma, the journalist and other suspects detained at the scene were undergoing preliminary investigations to determine their involvement in the alleged activities.
