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Reactions Over Detention Of Investigative Journalist Fisayo Soyombo

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The detention of investigative journalist, Fisayo Soyombo by the Nigerian Army’s 6 Division in Port Harcourt has sparked widespread condemnation, reigniting concerns about press freedom in Nigeria.

Soyombo, founder of the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), has been held for three days without charge, prompting nationwide calls for his release.

FIJ, in a statement on its official X (formerly Twitter) handle, described the detention as a “blatant assault on press freedom.”

The organisation demanded the immediate release of Soyombo and called on the Army to safeguard critical evidence seized from him. “Journalism is not a crime! #FreeFisayoNow,” the statement read.

READ MORE:Nigerian Journalist Fisayo Soyombo Detained For Exposing Smuggling, Corruption Ties

This development has drawn criticism from rights groups and prominent figures. Amnesty International Nigeria labelled the detention “arbitrary and unlawful” and urged the journalist’s unconditional release. Activist Aisha Yesufu also weighed in, criticising the Army for targeting journalists instead of addressing security threats. “Dear Nigerian Army, go and arrest Bello Turji, who has killed Nigerians and even your personnel. Leave Fisayo alone,” she wrote on X.

The International Centre for Investigative Reporting echoed these sentiments, describing the arrest as an attack on press freedom.

The Nigerian Army has yet to officially acknowledge Soyombo’s detention or explain the reasons behind it. Efforts to reach Army spokesperson Clement Nwachukwu for comments have so far been unsuccessful.

Soyombo, known for his hard-hitting exposés on corruption and systemic failures, has faced similar challenges in the past. In 2021, he was briefly detained following an investigation into police corruption.

Nigeria remains a challenging environment for journalists, ranking 115th out of 180 countries on the 2024 World Press Freedom Index by Reporters Without Borders.

The current incident adds to growing concerns about the safety of journalists in the country.

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Crime

Ikire Killings: Adeleke Establishes Commission for Coroner Inquiry by Executive Order

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Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke, has issued an Executive Order establishing a Coroner Inquest/Panel of Inquiry into the killings, shootings, injuries and violence reported at Naira and Kobo Junction, Motor Park/Garage Area, Ikire, Irewole Local Government Area, on August 24, 2026.

The Executive Order, which takes effect on August 31st, 2026, empowers the panel to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident, determine the identities and number of victims, establish the immediate and remote causes of the violence, and examine whether criminal responsibility is connected to the deaths.

This was detailed in a government house statement on Saturday in Osogbo, which set it out that Magistrate Ayokunle Shiyanbola has been appointed Chairman of the Coroner Inquest/Panel, with Mr. Abiodun Badiora as Secretary.

Other members include AIG (Dr)) Aderanti C Kayode, mni (Rtd), Mr. Dele Akintayo, a representative of the Nigerian Bar Association, Comrade Wale Balogun representing Civil Society Organisations, a community representative from Ikire, and Dr Babatunde Afolabi as Medical/Forensic Representative.

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The panel is mandated to determine the circumstances leading to the shootings and killings, examine the role of security operatives, establish whether live ammunition or other weapons were used and whether their use complied with the law, rules of engagement and human rights standards.

It is also empowered to identify any individual, group, security personnel, political actor, transport union member, public official or other person whose action or omission may have contributed to the incident.

The panel may recommend prosecution, disciplinary measures, compensation for victims and institutional reforms to prevent recurrence.

The inquiry will have powers to summon witnesses, demand relevant police and medical records, inspect the scene of the incident and other relevant locations, receive oral and documentary evidence, and recommend protective measures for witnesses and persons at risk of intimidation or retaliation.

Gov Adeleke also directed the preservation of firearms, ammunition records, station diaries, communication logs, incident reports, duty rosters, medical records, autopsy reports, photographs, videos and other materials relevant to the inquiry.

The Executive Order further calls for appropriate measures to protect witnesses and victims’ families, obtain medical and forensic documentation, and maintain peace in Ikire pending the conclusion of the inquiry.

The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Police Service Commission (PSC) and the Osun State Commissioner of Police were by the Executive Order formally requested to take appropriate interim administrative steps concerning any police officer whose continued operational command may prejudice the inquiry or affect public confidence.

The panel is expected to commence sitting within seven days of its inauguration and submit its final report to the Osun State Government within 30 days from the date of its first sitting, subject to any necessary extension approved by the Governor.

The government has invited victims’ families, eyewitnesses, journalists, transport workers, police officers, medical personnel, civil society organisations, political parties, community leaders, human rights activists and other concerned persons to submit memoranda and evidence to the panel.

The Governor assured the people of Ikire, families of the deceased, the injured and the general public that the incident would be investigated thoroughly, fairly and transparently.

The Executive Order states that no person found culpable shall be shielded from justice, irrespective of status, office, political connection or institutional affiliation, while stressing that all allegations remain allegations until established by credible evidence before the Coroner Inquest/Panel.

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Crime

N59m Withdrawn After Father’s Death as Ondo Commission Arrests Son, Mother

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Ondo State

The Ondo State Public Complaints, Financial Crimes and Anti-Corruption Commission (SPFACC) has arrested a middle-aged man identified as Tunde and his mother over the alleged withdrawal and diversion of N59 million from the bank account of his late father.

The development followed a petition by the only surviving child of the deceased, who lives abroad and returned to Nigeria after his father, stepmother and two half-siblings died within one week in August 2024.

SEE MORE: Ondo Shock: 23-Year-Old Son Allegedly Hacks 60-Year-Old Mother to Death

According to a family source, the deceased died on August 11, 2024, while his first wife died three days later, on August 14.

One of their children reportedly died on August 16, while the other, who lived in Ore, died on August 18.

The cause of the four deaths has not been officially established.

Confirming the investigation, SPFACC Secretary, Prof. Adewole Adeyeye, said the commission swung into action after the surviving child discovered that N59 million belonging to his late father had been withdrawn after his death.

Adeyeye said the suspect, who is the son of the deceased’s second wife, was arrested alongside his mother.

He added that the suspect admitted withdrawing the money but denied any involvement in the deaths of his father, stepmother and half-siblings.

“The man died on the 11th, the first wife died on the 14th, the first child died on the 16th, while the last child, who lived in Ore, died on the 18th.

“The only child who survived was the one living abroad. He returned and went to the bank, where he discovered that his late father had N59 million which was withdrawn after his death.

“We swung into action and the culprit and his mother have been arrested,” Adeyeye said.
The commission also disclosed that the deceased left behind several properties, including about four buildings, lock-up shops, a resort centre and plots of land.

The suspect was also accused of selling some of the properties.

According to Adeyeye, the commission has so far recovered N10 million from the proceeds of the alleged transactions.

He said the matter was being treated as a family dispute involving the alleged misappropriation of jointly inherited assets.

“It is a collective family property which was misappropriated by one person.
“We are paying great attention to the family and are trying to settle the matter amicably, since it is a family matter,” he said.

However, the commission stressed that it had not established any connection between the alleged withdrawal or diversion of the deceased’s assets and the deaths of the four family members.

Adeyeye said the commission, under its Chairman, Justice Williams Akin Akintoroye, would continue to investigate petitions involving alleged corruption and financial crimes in the state.

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Crime

Ondo Shock: 23-Year-Old Son Allegedly Hacks 60-Year-Old Mother to Death

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A 23-year-old man, identified as Samuel Akoade, has been arrested by the Ondo State Police Command for allegedly hacking his 60-year-old mother, Olufunke Amoo, to death in Ore, Odigbo Local Government Area of the state.

The incident reportedly occurred on Sunday, August 16, 2026, at the deceased’s residence in the Powerline area along the Ore–Okitipupa Road.

The incident reportedly caused panic in the community after the woman was discovered dead with deep machete wounds.

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According to a police source, preliminary investigations indicated that the deceased had been attacked with a cutlass, allegedly by her son. The motive for the alleged killing remains unknown.

Following a report of the incident, operatives of the Ore Division were deployed to the scene, where they secured the area and recovered a machete suspected to have been used in the attack.

The suspect reportedly fled the scene before the arrival of the police but was later arrested after a manhunt was launched.

The remains of the deceased were subsequently deposited at the morgue of the General Hospital, Ore.

The case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Akure, for further investigation.

Confirming the incident, the Ondo State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Jimoh Abayomi, said the Commissioner of Police, Felix Ohagwu, had ordered a thorough and professional investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident and ensure that justice is served.

The police also urged residents to remain vigilant and provide timely information about suspicious activities in their communities.

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