The Nigerian Army, has expressed concern over allegations circulating on social media that it detained an investigative journalist, Fisayo Soyombo in Port Harcourt.
In a statement issued on Friday, the Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, 6 Division, Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, said Fisayo Soyombo was one of those arrested for oil theft in the Niger Delta.
The Army, in the statement claimed that Soyombo was arrested during investigation of the activities of a notorious gang involved in pipeline vandalism and illegal oil connections in the Niger Delta region.
“While the Division does not typically engage with the purveyors of falsehoods, it is necessary to set the record straight.
It urged media outlets to verify their information before publishing to ensure accuracy, as it reaffirmed its dedication to curbing oil theft and criminal activities, emphasizing that these efforts aim to boost the nation’s oil and gas production
“Recent intelligence uncovered the activities of a notorious gang involved in pipeline vandalism and illegal oil connections in the region.
“In a carefully planned operation, troops tracked the suspects to an illegal oil bunkering site.
“During the operation, multiple arrests were made, including that of Mr Fisayo Soyombo, who was found at the scene.
“The suspects, including Mr Soyombo, are currently undergoing preliminary investigations to determine their level of involvement in the illegal activities.
” His arrest is directly linked to the ongoing anti-oil theft operations in the region, and any claims suggesting otherwise are baseless.
” The Division strongly urges media outlets to verify the accuracy of their reports before disseminating information to the public.
“The 6 Division Nigerian Army remains committed to combating criminal activities, particularly oil theft, to ensure the protection of national resources and increased oil and gas production in the region.
“The Nigerian Army assures the public of its dedication to upholding security and welcomes constructive engagements to foster understanding and transparency.”
