Founder of Foundation of Investigative Journalism, Fisayo Soyombo, has thanked Nigerians for campaigning against his arrest and detention by the Nigerian Army.

The Nigerian Army on Friday arrested Mr Soyombo after detaining him in Rivers State over alleged involvement in oil bunkering.

His release followed immediate interventions from Amnesty International, netizens and activists such as Omoyele Sowore and Deji Adeyanju, who described his arrest as ‘unlawful’.

In a post on his X handle on Saturday, Mr Soyombo appreciated Nigerians for their immediate interventions, saying they’re instrumental in his release.

He wrote, “Nigerians are not worth fighting for.’’ I hear that every now and then, and I’ve always disbelieved it. Yesterday, you proved me right. You all are the reason my detention by @HQNigerianArmy lasted ‘only’ three days. I’m a free man today because of your social media engagements with #FreeFisayoNow and the publications/broadcasts by the traditional media. And I can prove it.”

The journalist further said, “After my arrest at about 2am on Wednesday, I was grilled by different levels of the Army until deep into the night. I didn’t return to my cell until at least 11pm on Wednesday. My case was then forwarded to a superior office that was to interrogate me on Thursday. Surprisingly, Thursday was uneventful; from morning until night, this office never sent for me. I soon learnt the Army would take “as long as it wanted” to conduct their “investigation” just to establish that I was indeed an investigative journalist. To my utmost surprise, on Friday morning, at about 11am or thereabouts, I was retrieved from my cell for transfer to the Military Intelligence Brigade (MIB). It was during the transfer that someone who ran into me asked to know my name, after which they said: “You’re the one; you’re in the news.” Without your pressure, I’d still be in that cell by now, away from civilisation and held incommunicado. So, yes, my freedom is your freedom. This victory exists because of you, you and you.’’