By Stanley Onyeka, Lagos
The Nigerian Army today released the Founder and Editor-in-Chief, Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), Fisayo Soyombo, after detaining him in Rivers State over alleged involvement in oil bunkering.
The Foundation confirmed Mr Soyombo’s release in a statement on X, following widespread pressure from the media.
Until his freedom, the 6th Division of the Army had arrested Mr Soyombo, detained him, and seized his equipment for three days in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital.
The Army said the investigative journalist was arrested alongside others at an illegal oil bunkering site during an operation against oil theft and pipeline vandalism.
Confirming his release, FIJ’s post reads: “We can confirm that our founder @fisayosoyombo has now been released by @HQNigerianArmy, following the intense media campaign you all mounted.
“FIJ acknowledges the Nigerian Army’s deliberate mischaracterisation to suggest an involvement in ‘illegal oil bunkering.’ FIJ will also address this statement appropriately.
“Our immediate concern is regarding the safety of Fisayo Soyombo in view of extensive information sharing with the Army on his fieldwork during the period of his detention.
“We are assessing the situation and hoping that his safety will not be jeopardised after release,” it stated.
Unconditional release
Even if Mr. Soyombo has committed any crime warranting his arrest, it is not the duty of the Nigerian Army to carry out the arrest, as they have no authority under the Constitution, the Nigerian Army Act or any other Law to arrest civilians.
Rights group, Media Rights Agenda (MRA), which also condemned the Army’s arrest and detention of Mr. Soyombo, had also “called for his immediate and unconditional release.”
A statement by the Programme Officer, John Gbadamosi, earlier today in Lagos, MRA argued that: “The Nigerian Army lacks the authority to arrest or detain civilians.”
It added that “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.”
Describing Mr. Soyombo’s arrest and detention over the last three days as illegal and unconstitutional, MRA called on the Federal Government to put an immediate end to the persistent and widespread abuse of powers by government agencies in disregard of the Constitution and violation of basic principles of the rule of law.
The group further reiterated that the Nigerian Army has very limited powers of arrest under the Constitution and those powers apply only under very specific conditions.
Rather, it noted, its mandate and functions are restricted to “maintaining internal security or supporting civil authorities.”
Noting that Mr. Soyombo has not been accused or alleged to have engaged in any insurrection, the MRA said: “The Nigerian Army Act does not grant the Nigerian Army powers to arrest civilians under ordinary circumstances. “Instead, its provisions align with the military’s constitutional role, which is primarily focused on national defense and support to civil authorities.
“The Army should therefore focus on and expend its strength and resources on these roles.”
Indeed, it insisted that “even if Mr. Soyombo has committed any crime warranting his arrest, it is not the duty of the Nigerian Army to carry out the arrest, as they have no authority under the Constitution, the Nigerian Army Act or any other Law to arrest civilians.
It continued: “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.”
