The Nigerian Army on Friday broke its silence on the arrest and detention of an investigative journalist, Fisayo Soyombo.
Soyombo was arrested about three days ago by soldiers from the 6 Division of the Nigerian Army Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.
However, speaking amid a flurry of outcries over Soyombo’s arrest and detention, the Army said the investigative journalist is being investigated over oil theft, also explaining that he was arrested at a scene alongside a gang of notorious oil bunkering suspects.
Clarifying through a statement issued on Friday, the Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, 6 Division, Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, said Fisayo Soyombo was one of those arrested among those involved in oil theft.
Danjuma highlighted the division’s recent successes in tackling illegal oil bunkering in the Niger Delta, explaining that intelligence had uncovered a gang involved in pipeline vandalism and oil theft.
He stated that troops conducted a targeted operation at an illegal bunkering site, leading to multiple arrests, including that of Fisayo Soyombo, an investigative journalist, who was arrested at the scene.
“While the Division will not want to join issues with purveyors of falsehood and misinformation, It is important to put the records in proper perspective.
“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,” he said.
The military noted that the “suspects are currently undergoing preliminary investigation to ascertain their level of involvement or otherwise.”
The statement clarified that the arrest of Soyombo is in connection to the activities of oil thieves operating in the oil – rich Niger Delta region.
It urged media outlets to verify their information before publishing to ensure accuracy, reaffirming the army’s dedication to stem the tide of oil theft and criminal activities.
According to the statement, the efforts sought to boost the nation’s oil and gas production.
“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,” it concluded.
