The Safety and Protection of Journalists (SPJ) hub of the International Press Centre (IPC),  and the Media Rights Agenda (MRA) have condemned the arrest of investigative journalist and the founder of the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), Fisayo Soyombo, who was arrested by the 6th Division of the  Nigerian Army and detained in custody  for three days in Port Harcourt, River State of the country.

Earlier on Friday, the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ) posted on its social media handle that its founder has been arrested in the line of duty  and kept incommunicado, adding that the army has also seized all his devices .

The post reads, “The 6th Division of the Nigerian Army in Port Harcourt has been detaining our founder, @fisayosoyombo, for 3 days running. Journalism is not a crime! #FreeFisayoNow,” FIJ said on social media on Friday. 

“All his devices have been seized. The Army must preserve his evidence and truth.

“Don’t destroy the evidence. We insist the truth must come out. It’s in your custody.”

The FIJ founder is known for uncovering corruption in different public sectors in his past investigations. Recently, the journalist reported the smuggling activities in the country’s borders, in which he accused the Nigerian Custom Service (NCS) of complicity in the shady activities in the sector.

In their separate statements, IPC and MRA said the arbitrary arrest and detention of the FIJ founder is against the tenets of democracy and the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, thereby demanding his unconditional release.

A statement, signed by Melody Akinjiyan, the Press Freedom Officer, on behalf of the Safety and Protection of Journalists (SPJ) hub of the International Press Centre (IPC), demanded the immediate release of Mr. Soyombo, who has been held in army custody for three days.

IPCSPJ Hub expressed concerns over the threats and harassment the journalist has experienced previously and currently in the hands of the state actors while doing his job as an investigative journalist, therefore demanding his immediate release.

“SPJ is deeply worried about Soyombo’s safety considering that he has previously faced threats and harassments over investigative reports he published.SPJ demands the immediate release of Fisayo Soyombo from the Nigerian Army’s custody”

In the same light, the Media Right Agenda  (MRA) also criticised the  arrest and detention of Mr. Fisayo Soyombo and called for his immediate and unconditional release. The organisation described the development as abuse of powers by government agencies in disregard of the Constitution and violation of basic principles of the rule of law, which must be ended. 

 In a statement issued, MRA’s Programme Officer, Mr. John Gbadamosi, stated that the military has limited powers to make arrests in a democratic government except for special conditions, which Mr Soyombo’s case does not fall under.

 “The Nigerian Army lacks the authority to arrest or detain civilians.  In any event, it is a clear requirement under the Constitution that anyone who is deprived of his personal liberty upon reasonable suspicion of his having committed a criminal offence, must be charged to court within 24 hours. Both of these fundamental legal guarantees have been violated in the arrest and detention of Mr. Soyombo by the Nigerian Army.

 “The action of the Nigerian Army in arresting and detaining a journalist who is not subject to any military law constitutes a gross misuse of power and is deeply concerning.  We, therefore, call on President Bola Tinubu, as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, to restrain the Nigerian Army and other military authorities to desist from this recurring abuse of their powers and disregard for the Constitution and other laws as they continue to portray Nigeria as a lawless society”, Mr Gbadamosi said.

Other Reactions

Mr. Soyombo’s arrest has sparked reactions among media practitioners and civil society organisations, including some Nigerians who see the military’s move as another attempt to trample on press freedom in the country. As a result, there have been calls  for his release.

Reacting to the development, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has condemned the arrest of Mr Soyombo, urging President Tinubu to order the military to release him.

The organisation also threatened to take the matter to court if the military fail to release the investigative journalist in the next two days. “we urge President Tinubu to direct Nigeria’s army chief to immediately release journalist Fisayo Soyombo who is detained by the 6 Division of the Nigerian Army in Port Harcourt. We’ll see the administration in court if he is not released within 48 hours”. 

In the same light, Amnesty International, in its statement to the development, demanded an unconditional release of Mr Soyombo, describing the arrest and detention as unlawful.

The organisation further stated that the  military has disregarded the rule of law for holding him in custody incommunicado for the past three days, adding that the arrest is consistent with the past arrest of journalists under the administration of President Bola Tinubu since he assumed office last year.

Amnesty condemned the arrest of the journalist, saying the government must end the hostility against human rights and press freedom in the country as 11 cases of similar arrests have been recorded since last year.

“Amnesty International calls for the immediate and unconditional release of investigative journalist Fisayo Soyombo, who was arrested by the 6 Division of the Nigerian Army @HQNigerianArmy Port Harcourt. Arbitrary arrest is unlawful.

Fisayo has been in military detention and out of reach since 26 Nov. — in utter disregard for the rule of law. This draconian trend is sending the wrong signal and can force journalists to live in perpetual fear for daring to investigate and report on issues of public interest.

“Since President Bola Tinubu took office, at least 11 journalists and bloggers have been targeted for just doing their job. This is unacceptable. The Nigerian authorities must immediately put an end to this hostility towards human rights.”

Similarly, the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism also described Mr Soyombo’s detention as an attempt to silence the media and press freedom, which is the stronghold of democratic government to hold the government accountable for transparency. The organisation called for his immediate release from the custody of the Nigerian army

“The Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ), alongside other Civil Society Organisations, demands the immediate release of Fisayo Soyombo, Founder, the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), who was arrested by the Nigerian Army. Silencing journalists strikes at the heart of press freedom and democracy. A free press is essential for holding power to account and promoting transparency”, the organisation said.

Army Reacts

However, in its response, the Nigerian Army said Mr. Soyombo was arrested at an illegal oil bunkering site with other suspects during an operation to track down the activities of some notorious gangs who have been on military radar for pipeline vandalism and other related activities.

A statement signed by Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, Lieutenant Colonel, Acting Deputy Director, 6 Division Army Public Relations, further stated that the military investigations is still ongoing to determine the level of involvement of the arrested persons during the operation.

“The Headquarters, 6 Division, Nigerian Army, has expressed concern over allegations circulating on social media that it detained an investigative journalist in Port Harcourt. While the Division does not typically engage with the purveyors of falsehoods, it is necessary to set the record straight. As part of its intensified operations against illegal oil bunkering, the 6 Division Nigerian Army has recorded significant successes.

“ Recent intelligence uncovered the activities of a notorious gang involved in pipeline vandalism and illegal oil connections in the region. In a carefully planned operation, troops tracked the suspects to an illegal oil bunkering site. During the operation, multiple arrests were made, including that of Mr Fisayo Soyombo, who was found at the scene. The suspects, including Mr Soyombo, are currently undergoing preliminary investigations to determine their level of involvement in the illegal activities.

“ His arrest is directly linked to the ongoing anti-oil theft operations in the region, and any claims suggesting otherwise are baseless. The Division strongly urges media outlets to verify the accuracy of their reports before disseminating information to the public. 

“The 6 Division Nigerian Army remains committed to combating criminal activities, particularly oil theft, to ensure the protection of national resources and increased oil and gas production in the region. The Nigerian Army assures the public of its dedication to upholding security and welcomes constructive engagements to foster understanding and transparency”.