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The Rivers State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has declared that investigative journalist, Fisayo Soyombo, who was arrested by operatives of the 6 Division, Nigerian Army, was unknown to it.
NUJ chairman in the state, Stanley Job Stanley, disclosed this in a telephone interview with LEADERSHIP in Port Harcourt on Friday.
LEADERSHIP reports that the 6 Division of the Nigerian Army in Rivers State had earlier on Friday confirmed the arrest of Soyombo over suspected illegal oil bunkering in the State, saying the Journalist, along with other suspects, was going through preliminary investigation.
However, reacting to the development, the NUJ chairman in Rivers State told our Correspondent that: “You are not the first journalist that is calling over the arrest of this reporter. We have asked around and there is none of our member in this state that know who this guy is. So, we cannot talk on someone we know nothing about.”
Meanwhile, the 6 Division, Nigerian Army, has stated that Soyombo was arrested during an operation by its personnel at one of the illegal bunkering sites in the state.
Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, Lt. Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, disclosed this in a statement made available to LEADERSHIP in Port Harcourt on Friday.
The statement reads in part: “The Headquarters, 6 Division, Nigerian Army has noted with utmost concern an allegation making the rounds on the social media by Sahara reporters today, 29 November 2024.
“In the publication, it was alleged that the Nigerian Army detained an investigative journalist in Port Harcourt. 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.
“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.”
