Nigerian investigative journalist and publisher of online newspaper, Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), Fisayo Soyombo was arrested and detained by the 6 Division of the Nigerian Army in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
FIJ confirmed the arrest of its publisher on Friday via @fijnigeria its official X (formerly Twitter) handle, stating that Soyombo has been in the Army’s custody in the last three days.
LEADERSHIP recalls that the Soyombo has recently engaged the Nigeria Customs Service by exposing some alleged corruption and smuggling enabled by its officials at the borders.
The FIJ has called for his immediate release and raised the alarm over the increasing threats to press freedom in the country.
“The 6 Division of the Nigerian Army in Port Harcourt has been detaining our founder ‘Fisayo Soyombo 3 days running. Journalism is not a crime,” FIJ said.
Soyombo, known for his investigative reporting on high-profile issues such as corruption, abuse of power, and human rights violations.
He has previously faced various threats and harassment over the reports on the Customs, raising concerns also about attempt to induce him in a bid to be silent on the reports.
