Renowned investigative journalist Fisayo Soyombo, founder of the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), has been detained for three days by the 6th Division of the Nigerian Army in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, sparking nationwide outrage.
Soyombo, celebrated for exposing corruption and systemic failures, is being held without clear charges, raising serious concerns about press freedom in Nigeria.
In a statement on Friday, November 29, FIJ denounced the detention, describing it as a direct assault on journalism.
“Journalism is not a crime! #FreeFisayoNow,” the organization declared, urging the military to immediately release Soyombo and protect confiscated evidence.
“All his devices have been seized. We demand the Nigerian Army safeguards this evidence to ensure the truth is not suppressed,” FIJ added.
This marks yet another instance of journalists facing persecution in Nigeria, where press freedom is increasingly under threat. Soyombo himself was briefly detained in 2021 following an exposé on police corruption.
The latest detention has sparked an outcry on social media, with the hashtag #FreeFisayoNow trending as activists, rights groups, and citizens demand his release.
Amnesty International Nigeria described the detention as "arbitrary and unlawful," calling for his immediate and unconditional release. Activist Aisha Yesufu criticized the Army's priorities, urging them to focus on arresting criminals rather than journalists.
“Dear Nigerian Army, go and arrest Bello Turji, who has killed Nigerians and your personnel. Leave Fisayo alone. Journalism is not a crime,” she posted on X (formerly Twitter).
The International Centre for Investigative Reporting echoed these sentiments, labelling the incident an attack on press freedom.
Despite mounting pressure, the Nigerian Army has neither confirmed the detention nor provided an official explanation. Attempts to contact Army spokesperson Clement Nwachukwu have gone unanswered.
Nigeria continues to rank poorly on global press freedom indices. In the 2024 World Press Freedom Index, the country was ranked 115th out of 180 countries, solidifying its reputation as one of the most dangerous places for journalists in West Africa.
The detention of Fisayo Soyombo underscores the growing challenges faced by the Nigerian press as rights groups and citizens rally for his freedom.
