Posted by Samuel on Fri 29th Nov, 2024 - tori.ng
Reacting to the comments of the Nigerian Army on Soyombo's arrest, Sowore expressed his condemnation on X (formerly Twitter), reminding the army authorities that it had no constitutional powers to investigate crimes that were not directly involving its personnel.
Human rights activist and #RevolutionNow Movement Convener, Omoyele Sowore, has strongly criticized the arrest of investigative journalist Fisayo Soyombo by the Nigerian Army in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, and has called for his immediate release.
Reacting to the comments of the Nigerian Army on Soyombo's arrest, Sowore expressed his condemnation on X (formerly Twitter), reminding the army authorities that it had no constitutional powers to investigate crimes that were not directly involving its personnel.
He maintained that the army knew from the point of "so-called arrest" that Soyombo was investigating oil bunkering carried out by the the usual suspects, including some high-level security officials.
While insisting that the journalist's arrest and illegal detention was primarily aimed at covering up the atrocities, Sowore demanded his immediate and unconstitutional release.
Sowore, former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) in the 2023 general elections, wrote: "I have just read a watery press statement by the @HQNigerianArmy that journalist @fisayosoyombo was arrested on an oil bunkering site and "undergoing interrogation," the Nigeria Army knew from the point of so-called "arrest' that Soyombo was investigating oil bunkering carried out by the usual suspects, including some high-level security officials; his arrest and illegal detention was primarily aimed at covering up these atrocities.
"The Army in Port Harcourt MUST release @fisayosoyombo immediately.
"Let me reiterate that the @HQNigerianArmy has no powers to investigate or prosecute any crime except the ones involving its personnel; it is the duty of the @PoliceNG. #FreeSoyomboNOW".
We had reported earlier on Friday that Nigerian investigative journalist, Fisayo Soyombo, had been reportedly arrested and detained by the 6 Division of the Nigerian Army in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The 6, Division of the Nigerian Army, Port-Harcourt confirmed the arrest and detention.
His arrest, which took place three days ago, was confirmed by the Foundation For Investigative Journalism (FIJ) on its official page on Friday morning.
It was gathered that Soyombo’s detention may be linked to his work exposing corruption and smugglers aided by Nigerian Customs Services.
The FIJ has called for his immediate release and raised the alarm over the increasing threats to press freedom in the country.
Soyombo, known for his investigative reporting on high-profile issues such as corruption, abuse of power, and human rights violations, has previously faced various threats and harassment.
"The 6 Division of the Nigerian Army in Port Harcourt has been detaining our founder 'Fisayo Soyombo 3 days running. Journalism is not a crime," FIJ said.
Earlier in November, SaharaReporters reported that Soyombo released more videos to establish his smuggling allegations involving Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) officers.
Fisayo, in a statement issued on his verified social media handles, had alleged that Nigerian customs officers had conspired with Adeyemi Habeeb Abdulganiy, an alleged multi-billionaire-naira smuggler better known as Abuga, to illegally pass about 2000 cars and smuggle in bags of rice into the country.
He had said the illegal operation was slated to take place on Sunday, 10th of November, 2024.