Investigative journalist, Fisayo Soyombo, on Saturday, revealed key details of his recent encounter with the Nigerian Army, calling for a complete overhaul of the country’s security structures to tackle illegal crude oil bunkering effectively.
Soyombo also shared how the oil bunkers provided him with an account of the sensitive information he had previously shared with the Nigerian Army, aimed at curbing illicit bunkering operations.
During an interview on Arise TV, Soyombo confirmed that his arrest occurred while conducting an undercover investigation.
He disclosed that he had been investigating the security network that protects illegal bunkers, which he described as a complex issue.
Fisayo, the founder of the Foundation for Investigative Journalism, was detained for three days by the 6 Division of the Nigeria Army in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, before his release on Friday.
He said that his release followed widespread media coverage of his arrest.
Further shedding light on the incident, the award-winning journalist explained that the Army’s grievance stemmed from not being properly briefed about the investigation.
He said, “Everyone other than the Nigerian Army already knows what happened. I am an investigative and undercover journalist. I was investigating illegal oil bunkering. It’s a complex story.
“It happened that someone within the security setup got offended for not being bribed, as illegal bunkers often bribe security personnel. One individual got upset, tipped others off, and suddenly they arrived.
“Everyone else ran away except me. So, there was no arrest. The Nigerian Army didn’t arrest me. They spotted me, flashed their torch, and I came out to engage them.”
Soyombo explained that he had assumed it was a “settlement conversation” and voluntarily approached the soldiers, knowing he had nothing to hide, saying, “All the others fled into the bush, but I stayed because I knew I had nothing to hide.”
Soyombo recounted his three-day detention, claiming it vindicated his actions.
He said, “I spent three days in military detention, and everything I told the highest levels of the Army was confirmed.
“The illegal bunkers told me everything I had shared with the Qrmy. Was I wrong not to have carried the Army along?
“How could I have been grilled for three days, and yet, everything I told you came out before I was released? The oil bunkers even echoed my statements. They were on point, without a single mistake.”
