Fisayo Soyombo credits social media pressure for his release after a three-day detention by the Nigerian Army. Arrested on charges of oil bunkering, his case garnered widespread attention, and Nigerians' activism on social media played a crucial role in his freedom.
Fisayo Soyombo, founder of the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), has credited social media with securing his release after being detained by the Nigerian Army for three days. Soyombo was arrested by the 6 Division of the Nigerian Army in Port Harcourt under accusations of being involved in illegal oil bunkering. Following his arrest, his case gained widespread attention on social media, where Nigerians rallied with the hashtag #FreeFisayoNow.
In a statement, Soyombo shared that he was interrogated by various levels of the army before his arrest went viral. He emphasized that social media engagement and media coverage played a pivotal role in shortening his detention. Soyombo recounted the surprising turn of events when, after being detained for several days, he was transferred to the Military Intelligence Brigade (MIB). It was during this transfer that someone recognized him and mentioned his presence in the news.
The journalist expressed immense gratitude to Nigerians for their support, acknowledging that without the pressure from social media, he could still have been imprisoned. Soyombo’s story highlights the power of social media in influencing the actions of the authorities, illustrating how public pressure can drive significant changes in situations involving rights violations
