Prominent investigative journalist Fisayo Soyombo was arrested and detained by the Nigerian Army at what military authorities claim was an illegal oil bunkering site in the Niger Delta region.
The arrest came to light after the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), the organization founded by Soyombo, raised alarm about his three-day detention at the 6 Division of the Nigerian Army in Port Harcourt. The announcement triggered immediate reactions across social media platforms, with journalists and civil society organizations demanding his immediate release.
Responding to the mounting pressure, the Nigerian Army released a statement through Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Danjuma, the Acting Deputy Director of 6 Division Army Public Relations, confirming Soyombo’s detention. According to the military, the arrest was part of an ongoing operation targeting organized criminal networks involved in pipeline vandalism and illegal oil theft in the resource-rich Niger Delta region.
The Army’s statement revealed that their operation was initiated following intelligence reports about a notorious gang of oil thieves operating in the area. These criminals reportedly specialized in pipeline sabotage and establishing unauthorized oil connections, activities that have long plagued Nigeria’s oil sector and resulted in significant economic losses for the nation.
Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma emphasized that Soyombo, along with other suspects apprehended at the site, is currently undergoing preliminary investigations to determine their respective roles in the alleged illegal activities. The military spokesperson highlighted the Division’s recent intensification of anti-illegal oil bunkering operations, noting that they had achieved “significant operational successes” in their campaign against oil theft.
However, the detention of Soyombo, known for his hard-hitting investigative reports on corruption and social issues in Nigeria, has raised serious questions about press freedom and the safety of journalists conducting investigative work in sensitive areas. The FIJ’s public statement, “Journalism is not a crime,” resonates with growing concerns about the increasing risks faced by media professionals in Nigeria while carrying out their duties.
The incident has brought to the forefront the complex relationship between national security operations and press freedom in Nigeria’s volatile oil-producing regions. The Niger Delta, while being the country’s economic powerhouse due to its vast oil reserves, has long been plagued by issues of illegal oil bunkering, environmental degradation, and complex security challenges.
Investigative journalists working in the region often find themselves navigating a delicate balance between reporting on these critical issues and avoiding confrontation with security forces and criminal elements. Soyombo’s detention highlights the precarious position of journalists who attempt to document and expose illegal activities in the oil sector.
The case has also drawn attention to the broader issue of transparency in Nigeria’s oil industry and the ongoing battle against oil theft, which costs the country billions of dollars annually. While the military’s efforts to combat illegal oil bunkering are crucial for the nation’s economic security, the detention of a prominent journalist during such operations raises concerns about the methods employed and their impact on press freedom.
As preliminary investigations continue, the incident has sparked a broader debate about the need for clearer protocols governing the interaction between security forces and journalists working in sensitive areas. Media rights advocates argue that mechanisms must be put in place to protect legitimate journalistic work while allowing security forces to carry out their mandate effectively.
The outcome of this case could set an important precedent for how similar situations are handled in the future, particularly in regions where national security concerns intersect with investigative journalism. As the story continues to develop, stakeholders in both the media and security sectors are closely watching how the authorities balance their security obligations with the fundamental right to press freedom.
