Prominent investigative journalist Fisayo Soyombo has extended heartfelt appreciation to Nigerians and the media for their unwavering support and advocacy, which he credits for his release from detention by the Nigerian Army.
In a statement on Saturday, Soyombo recounted his ordeal following his arrest in the early hours of Wednesday, where he spent three days in detention. He detailed his extensive interrogation and his eventual release, which he described as a direct result of public solidarity and media advocacy.
He shared, “‘Nigerians are not worth fighting for.’ I hear that every now and then, and I’ve always disbelieved it. Yesterday, you proved me right. You all are the reason my detention by HQ Nigerian Army lasted ‘only’ three days. I’m a free man today because of your social media engagements with #FreeFisayoNow and the publications and broadcasts by traditional media. And I can prove it.”
Soyombo revealed that following his arrest at about 2 a.m. on Wednesday, he underwent intensive interrogation for hours and was held in a cell overnight. However, on Thursday, the anticipated follow-up questioning did not occur, as the Army reportedly decided to take its time with investigations into his identity and work as an investigative journalist.
“Surprisingly, Thursday was uneventful; from morning until night, this office never sent for me. 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,” Soyombo said.
The breakthrough came on Friday during his transfer to the Military Intelligence Brigade. According to Soyombo, an officer who recognized his name as being “in the news” played a pivotal role in his release.
“To my utmost surprise, on Friday morning, at about 11 a.m., I was retrieved from my cell for transfer to the Military Intelligence Brigade. It was during the transfer that someone who ran into me asked to know my name, after which they said: ‘You’re the one; you’re in the news.’”
Soyombo emphasized the importance of public pressure in securing his freedom, acknowledging the widespread social media campaign under the hashtag #FreeFisayoNow and the coverage by traditional media outlets. These efforts, he said, brought attention to his detention and raised critical questions about press freedom and due process.
“Without your pressure, I’d still be in that cell by now, away from civilization and held incommunicado. So, yes, my freedom is your freedom. This victory exists because of you, you and you. Thank you!” Soyombo declared.
The journalist’s arrest and subsequent release have reignited conversations around the protection of press freedom and the rights of journalists in Nigeria.
