The Foundation for Investigative Journalism, FIJ, has announced that its founder, Fisayo Soyombo, has been released from detention by the Nigerian Army.
Media Talk Africa had reported that Soyombo and others were arrested for oil bunkering and have been in the custody of the Nigerian Army in Port Harcourt for three days.
However, military authorities stated that Soyombo was apprehended at an illegal oil bunkering site.
In a post on X on Friday evening, FIJ confirmed the journalist’s release.
“We can confirm that our founder@fisayosoyombo has now been released by@HQNigerianArmy, following the intense media campaign you all mounted,” the post reads.
“FIJ acknowledges the Nigerian Army’s deliberate mischaracterisation to suggest an involvement in “illegal oil bunkering.” FIJ will also address this statement appropriately.
“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.”
