International Press Institute’s pressure paves way for release of Soyombo from military detention
The International Press Institute (IPI), Nigeria Chapter proactiveness has led to the release of Nigerian investigative journalist Fisayo Soyombo, who was arrested by the Nigerian Army, alongside other suspects at illegal oil site in Portharcourt
Penpushing reports that President of the Institute, Musikilu Mojeed said the organisation worked for hours on Soyombo’s plight, adding that authorities as at the time of filing this report informed Nigerian committee of the International Press Institute (IPI Nigeria) that Soyombo has been released.
The release of the founder of the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ) came three days after he was arrested, but the military authorities did not charge Soyombo, rather said he and other suspects were undergoing preliminary investigation to ascertain their level of involvement in the oil theft incident.
Penpushing further reports that in similar vein, Soyombo’s colleague Daniel Ojukwu, confirmed his release, as well as the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ in a post on X corroborating the information adding that this follows the intense media campaign
The Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ) which said it will soon address the army’s claim appropriately, declared that the Nigerian Army deliberately mischaracterised the incident by suggesting Soyombo was involved in illegal oil bunkering.
“Our immediate concern is regarding the safety of ‘Fisayo Soyombo in view of extensive information sharing with the Army on his fieldwork during the period of his detention. We are assessing the situation and hoping that his safety will not be jeopardised after release’, the foundation wrote
Penpushing also reports that it is recalled that Soyombo recently published reports on how Customs officials allow smuggling and illegal activities in Nigeria’s borders, while his arrest sheds light on Nigeria’s record of poor treatment of journalists.
The report has it that Nigeria is one of West Africa’s most dangerous and difficult countries for journalists, this is equally contained in the Reporters Without Borders (RSF), which ranked Nigeria 123 of 180 countries in its global press freedom report for 2023.
Penpushing reports that the report pointed out that Nigerian journalists are regularly monitored, attacked and arbitrarily arrested, stressing that crimes committed against journalists continue to go unpunished, even when the perpetrators are known or apprehended.
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