By Kabir Yusuf
The Nigerian Army has reportedly arrested and detained investigative journalist Fisayo Soyombo.
Soyombo, the founder and Editor-in-Chief of the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), was taken into custody on Tuesday, according to the organisation.
In a post on X, FIJ said the 6 Division of the Nigerian Army in Port Harcourt has been detaining Soyombo for three days.
The Nigerian army has not confirmed his arrest as of Friday afternoon and circumstances of his detention remain unclear.
Onyeama Nwachukwu, the army spokesperson, did not respond to Premium Times calls and a message seeking his comment on the matter.
“All his devices have been seized,” FIJ said on X. “The Army must preserve his evidence and truth. Don’t destroy the evidence. We insist the truth must come out. It’s in your custody, don’t destroy the evidence.”
Soyombo recently published several reports on how porous Nigerian borders have become, often accusing the Customs of enabling smuggling and illegal activities in the country.
In 2021, the Nigerian Police detained Soyombo following a publication in which his paper indicted a senior police officer. This year, Soyombo’s colleague, Daniel Ojukwu, was arrested and detained for several days by the police.
The detention of Soyombo suggests an ominous sign for journalists critical of the Nigerian system. It adds to concerns about the repression of journalists that many press freedom groups say has expanded in scale and scope in Nigeria.
