Investigative journalist Fisayo Soyombo, who was detained by the Nigerian Army in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, has expressed gratitude to Nigerians for the pressure they mounted to secure his release.
Previously Gistreel had reported that Soyombo was held for three days. His release on Friday followed widespread calls from Nigerians, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), and activists.
Soyombo credited his freedom to the public’s social media campaigns and media advocacy, including efforts by outlets.
Recalling his ordeal, Soyombo shared that he was arrested on Wednesday and subjected to extensive interrogations. He revealed that the Army had threatened to keep him in detention indefinitely until their investigation was concluded.
Soyombo emphasized that without the intervention of Nigerians and sustained media pressure, his release would not have been possible.
“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.”
