Investigative journalist Fisayo Soyombo appreciates Nigerians after his release from army detention

• Soyombo was released on Friday after being held for three days, following calls from Nigerians, CSOs, and activists.

• Soyombo acknowledged the public’s social media campaigns and media advocacy efforts, including those of various outlets, as the primary factors contributing to his freedom.

Investigative journalist Fisayo Soyombo, who was apprehended by the Nigerian Army in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, has expressed his appreciation to the Nigerian populace for the efforts they exerted to facilitate his release.

Earlier, GistLover reported that Soyombo was in custody for three days. His release on Friday came in response to widespread appeals from Nigerians, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), and activists. Soyombo attributed his liberation to the public’s social media initiatives and media advocacy, which included the contributions of various outlets.

Reflecting on his experience, Soyombo recounted that he was taken into custody on Wednesday and faced rigorous interrogations. He disclosed that the Army had warned him of the possibility of remaining in detention indefinitely until their investigation was finalized.

Soyombo underscored that, without the intervention of the Nigerian people and the persistent pressure from the media, his release would not have been achievable.

“Nigerians are not worth fighting for. I hear that every now and then, and I’ve always disbelieved it.

“Yesterday (Friday), you proved me right. You all are the reason my detention by Nigerian Army lasted ‘only’ three days. I’m a free man today because of your social media engagements with #FreeFisayoNow and the publications/broadcasts by the traditional media. And I can prove it.

“After my arrest at about 2am on Wednesday, I was grilled by different levels of the Army until deep into the night. I didn’t return to my cell until at least 11pm on Wednesday. My case was then forwarded to a superior office that was to interrogate me on Thursday.

“Surprisingly, Thursday was uneventful; from morning until night, this officer 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.

“To my utmost surprise, on Friday morning, at about 11am or thereabouts, I was retrieved from my cell for transfer to the Military Intelligence Brigade (MIB). 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.”