By Jemimah Wellington, JKNewsMedia Reporter
DETAINED INVESTIGATIVE Journalist Fisayo Soyombo has shared details of his three-day ordeal in the custody of the Nigerian Army, crediting public advocacy and media efforts for his eventual release.
Soyombo expressed gratitude to Nigerians and the media, saying, “You all are the reason my detention by HQ Nigerian Army lasted ‘only’ three days.
“I’m a free man today because of your social media engagements with #FreeFisayoNow and the publications by traditional media,” he said.
Arrested in the early hours of Wednesday, Soyombo described intense interrogations by various levels of the military, which extended late into the night.
He revealed that while his case was escalated to a higher office on Thursday, no further actions were taken that day.
“The Army would take ‘as long as it wanted’ to conduct their ‘investigation’ just to establish that I was indeed an investigative journalist,” he explained.
On Friday morning, Soyombo was unexpectedly retrieved from his cell for transfer to the Military Intelligence Brigade (MIB).
During the transfer, a chance encounter with someone familiar with his case affirmed the widespread attention his detention had garnered.
“They said: ‘You’re the one; you’re in the news,’” Soyombo recalled.
The hashtag #FreeFisayoNow had trended widely on social media, drawing support from human rights activists, journalists, and concerned citizens.
Traditional media outlets amplified the campaign, raising pressing questions about press freedom and the right to due process.
Soyombo credited this collective effort for his release, acknowledging the significance of public advocacy in protecting journalists and ensuring accountability.
“Without your pressure, I’d still be in that cell by now, away from civilisation and held incommunicado.
This victory exists because of you. Thank you!”
