Journalist Fisayo Soyombo Released After Army Detention

Kehinde Fajobi

Investigative journalist Fisayo Soyombo has been released from the custody of the Nigerian Army.

Abimbola Ojenike, one of Soyombo’s lawyers, confirmed the release during a phone interview with The Punch.

“He has just been released some minutes ago, and we are trying to find our way out of the cantonment. He is now free and has been released to his lawyers,” Ojenike said.

He clarified that the release was not under a standard bail process but required Soyombo’s lawyers to produce him if needed.

The Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), which Soyombo founded, revealed on X (formerly Twitter) that he had been in Army custody for three days.

“The 6 Division of the Nigerian Army in Port Harcourt has been detaining our founder, Fisayo Soyombo, for three days. Journalism is not a crime,” the FIJ posted.

Earlier, Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Danjuma, Acting Deputy Director of 6 Division Army Public Relations, confirmed Soyombo’s arrest.

In a statement on Friday, Danjuma explained that Soyombo was apprehended at an illegal oil bunkering site alongside other suspects.

Danjuma stated that Soyombo was undergoing preliminary investigations to ascertain his level of involvement in the alleged crime.