Fisayo Soyombo, founder of the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), has shed light on the harrowing experience of his recent arrest and detention by the Nigerian Army.
The renowned investigative journalist, who was conducting an undercover investigation into illegal oil bunkering, expressed grave concerns about the extent of security compromises enabling the illegal trade.
Speaking on AriseTV Morning Show, Soyombo revealed the shocking reality of oil bunkering operations in the country, including the alleged complicity of some security personnel. “It would shock you the kind of people who escort illegal oil bunkers out of Port-Harcourt,” he stated.
Soyombo criticized the Nigerian Army for compromising his safety by publicly linking him to oil bunkering activities. “The army spokesman already compromised my security by going online to say that they found illegal bunkers,” he said, emphasizing the dangers posed by such a statement while he was still in custody.
Despite acknowledging the presence of “clean men” within the military, Soyombo called for a purge of saboteurs enabling oil theft. “There are clean men in the military, but we need to clean up the saboteurs who enable oil bunkerers to thrive,” he asserted.
Reflecting on the dangers of investigative journalism in Nigeria, Soyombo disclosed his determination to continue exposing wrongdoing despite the risks. “This is a new level for me that I need to do it. Rather than change approach, I will rather stop. Maybe I have one, two, three undercover investigations left, and I will stop,” he said.
Soyombo underscored the staggering scale of crude oil theft, criticizing official figures as gross underestimations. “The crude we were to move was for 50,000 barrels. If the man who got annoyed that he wasn’t bribed didn’t talk, we would have had two trucks move out,” he said. “There is no institution that can say for a fact the barrels being lifted daily.”
The journalist called for a comprehensive overhaul of the sector, highlighting the complicity of both oil bunkerers and those tasked with supervising the industry.
Soyombo credited his release to the immense pressure mounted by Nigerians and the media through the #FreeFisayoNow campaign. In a heartfelt message, he thanked those who advocated for his freedom, emphasizing their pivotal role in cutting short his ordeal.
“Nigerians are not worth fighting for.’ I hear that every now and then, and I’ve always disbelieved it. Yesterday, you proved me right,” Soyombo wrote on social media. “You all are the reason my detention by @HQNigerianArmy lasted ‘only’ three days.”
Describing his experience, Soyombo revealed that his case faced delays under the guise of a prolonged investigation. “I soon learnt the Army would take ‘as long as it wanted’ to conduct their ‘investigation’ just to establish that I was indeed an investigative journalist,” he said.
His arrest and detention, which left him incommunicado for three days, have been widely condemned both locally and internationally. Media organizations, civil rights groups, and concerned individuals have criticized the actions of the Nigerian Army, urging respect for press freedom and the safety of journalists.
