BREAKING: Journalist Fisayo Arrested Among Oil Thieves, Army Claims
7 days ago 2 min read
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The Nigerian Army has confirmed that investigative journalist, Fisayo Soyombo, was arrested in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The army, however, claimed that Soyombo was found among suspected oil thieves and is currently undergoing interrogation.
The army disclosed this in a statement on Friday, signed by the Acting Deputy Director of the 6 Division Army, Danjuma Danjuma.
The statement was in response to reports by the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), an organisation founded by Soyombo, that its founder had been incommunicado for three days following his arrest by the army.
FIJ added that the army seized Soyombo’s phones for unknown reasons.
The army, in response, said Soyombo, contrary to the report, was not detained in Port Harcourt but rather undergoing “preliminary investigation” after he was arrested at the scene of an undisclosed illegal oil bunkering site.
The statement read partly: “You would recall that the Division has scaled up its anti-illegal oil bunkering operations with huge operational successes recorded.
“Only recently, intelligence revealed the existence of a notorious gang of oil thieves noted for bursting pipelines and illegal connections for oil theft in the region.
“In a deliberate operation conducted, troops trailed the criminals to an illegal oil bunkering site. In a subsequent operation carried out, troops swooped on the site, where arrests were made, including one Fisayo Soyombo who was also arrested at the scene.
“The suspects are currently undergoing preliminary investigation to ascertain their level of involvement or otherwise.
“Therefore, his arrest is not unconnected with the activities of these oil thieves in the region. It is, therefore, important for media outlets to ensure the veracity of their information before they place them in the public domain.
“The Division will like to reassure the general public of its commitment and responsiveness in ensuring the activities of criminal gangs, particularly oil thieves, are drastically curbed in the region. This, it is hoped will shore up oil and gas production in the country.”
