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From Molly Kilete, Abuja
The Nigerian Army has confirmed the arrest of an investigative journalist, Fisayo Soyombo, saying he was arrested at an illegal oil bunkering site alongside perpetrators of the act.
The army said the clarification had become necessary following public outcry over the arrest and detention of Soyombo, as the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ) revealed on X handle (formerly Twitter).
The FIJ had raised the alarm that Soyombo had been held in Army custody for the past three days.
But in a swift reaction, the acting Deputy Director 6 Division Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma, in a statement, said: “The Headquarters, 6 Division, Nigerian Army has noted with utmost concern an allegation making the rounds on the social media by Sahara Reporters today, 29 November, 2024.
“In the publication, it was alleged that the Nigerian Army detained an investigative journalist in Port Harcourt. It is important to put the records in proper perspective.
“You would recall that the Division has scaled up its anti-illegal oil bunkering operations with huge operational successes recorded. Only recently, intelligence revealed the existence of a notorious gang of oil thieves noted for bursting pipelines and illegal connections for oil theft in the region. In a deliberate operation conducted, troops trailed the criminals to an illegal oil bunkering site. “In a subsequent operation carried out, troops swooped on the site, where arrests were made, including one Fisayo Soyombo who was also arrested at the scene.
“The suspects are currently undergoing preliminary investigation to ascertain their level of involvement or otherwise. Therefore, his arrest is not unconnected with the activities of these oil thieves in the region. It is, therefore, important for media outlets to ensure the veracity of their information before they place them in the public domain.”
