SAHARA REPORTERS
The International Press Centre (IPC), through its Safety and Protection of Journalists (SPJ) hub, has demanded the immediate release of investigative journalist and publisher of the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), Fisayo Soyombo.
The IPC, which made the demand in a statement issued on Friday by its Press Freedom Officer, Melody Akinjiyan, expressed worries over Soyombo’s safety considering that he had previously faced threats and harassments over investigative reports he published.
“SPJ demands the immediate release of Fisayo Soyombo from the Nigerian Army’s custody, the statement added.
SaharaReporters earlier reported that Soyombo has reportedly been detained by the 6 Division of the Nigerian Army in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
Soyomo’s arrest was confirmed by the Foundation For Investigative Journalism (FIJ) on its official page on Friday morning.
It was gathered that Soyombo’s detention may be linked to his work exposing corruption and smugglers aided by Nigerian Customs Services.
Soyombo, known for his investigative reporting on high-profile issues such as corruption, abuse of power, and human rights violations, has previously faced various threats and harassment.
“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.
Earlier in November, SaharaReporters reported that Soyombo released more videos to establish his smuggling allegations involving Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) officers.
Fisayo, in a statement issued on his verified social media handles, had alleged that Nigerian customs officers had conspired with Adeyemi Habeeb Abdulganiy, an alleged multi-billionaire-naira smuggler better known as Abuga, to illegally pass about 2000 cars and smuggle in bags of rice into the country.
He had said the illegal operation was slated to take place on Sunday, 10th of November, 2024.
