Journalist Fisayo Soyombo Arrested Alongside Oil Thieves During Illegal Bunkering Site Raid – Nigerian Army

The Nigerian Army’s 6 Division has announced a significant breakthrough in its fight against illegal oil bunkering, revealing that its troops arrested several suspects during a targeted operation, including one Fisayo Soyombo.

Investigative Journalist Fisayo Soyombo Arrested

In a press statement released by the Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, Lt. Col. Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, the division addressed allegations circulating on social media about the detention of an investigative journalist.

Lt. Col. Danjuma clarified, “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.”

The statement highlighted that the 6 Division has intensified its operations against illegal oil bunkering, yielding substantial successes. Recently, intelligence reports uncovered a notorious gang involved in pipeline vandalism and illegal oil theft in the region. Acting on this intelligence, troops launched a deliberate operation to track the gang, leading them to an illegal oil bunkering site.

“During a subsequent operation, troops swooped on the site, where arrests were made, including one Fisayo Soyombo, who was apprehended at the scene,” the statement added.

The suspects, including Soyombo, are currently undergoing preliminary investigations to determine their roles in the criminal activity. Lt. Col. Danjuma noted that the arrest of Soyombo is directly linked to the ongoing efforts to combat oil theft in the region.

The statement also called on media outlets to verify information before publication, urging responsible reporting to avoid the spread of misinformation. Read the full statement below;

ALLEGED DETENTION OF JOURNALIST IN PORT HARCOURT, MISLEADING

The Headquarters, 6 Division, Nigerian Army has noted with utmost concern an allegation making the rounds on 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.

DANJUMA JONAH DANJUMA
Lieutenant Colonel
Acting Deputy Director
6 Division Army Public Relations
29 November 2024.

The Nigerian Army’s 6 Division remains steadfast in its mission to tackle oil-related crimes in the Niger Delta, ensuring accountability and security in the region.