The headquarters, 6 Division, Nigerian Army, has clarified that investigative journalist, Fisayo Soyombo, was arrested by troops during a raid on an illegal bunkering site.
Acting Deputy Director of 6 Division Army Public Relations, Lt. Col. Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, addressed allegations circulating on social media that the Nigerian Army detained an investigative journalist in Port Harcourt.
Lt. Col. Danjuma emphasized that while the division does not wish to engage with purveyors of falsehood and misinformation, it is crucial to set the record straight.
In a statement on Friday, he noted: “You would recall that the Division has scaled up its anti-illegal oil bunkering operations with significant 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.”
Danjuma said all the suspects were currently undergoing preliminary investigation to ascertain their level of involvement in economic sabotage.
He said: “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 would 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.”
