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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

Oyo Police Arrest Suspected Cultist Who Allegedly Travelled to Avenge Brother’s Death

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The Oyo State Police Command has arrested a suspected cultist, Kingsley Odo, who allegedly travelled to the state to avenge the death of his brother.

The suspect was intercepted by operatives of the Safer Highway patrol team during a routine stop-and-search operation on a commercial bus along Ife Road.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the Oyo State Police Command, DSP Ayanlade Olushola Olayinka, said the operatives recovered a locally made, cut-to-size pistol and a cartridge during a search of the vehicle.

SEE ALSO: Oyo Police Begin Probe Into Abduction of Pastor’s Daughter In Ibadan

Olayinka said further questioning revealed that the suspect had travelled to Oyo State to carry out a revenge killing over his brother’s death.

“Further questioning revealed that he had travelled all the way from Anambra to Oyo State to carry out a revenge killing,” he said.

He added that the suspect had been arrested and was undergoing investigation to establish his connections and determine the extent of his alleged activities.

“All thanks to God and the good effort of the men of the Safer Highway, he was intercepted, arrested, and is currently undergoing investigation to know his connections and how wide it is,” Olayinka said.

Suspect Recounts Brother’s Death

During an interview following his arrest, Odo said the incident stemmed from the death of his brother in 2021, when he was working in Benue State.

He explained that his brother was schooling in Nsukka, Enugu State, when he received information that someone had killed him.

“It was in 2021. I was working in Benue State, so I had information that my brother, who was in school in Nsukka, had just died in the school, that somebody killed him in the school,” he said.

Odo added that his mother died a few weeks after his brother’s death.

He said he subsequently received information that the person allegedly responsible for his brother’s death was living in a southwestern state.

“So, last month, I had information that the boy is living in a state, a Yoruba state. So, I said okay, I will find out that place where he is living,” the suspect said.

He explained that he was travelling from Nsukka towards Oyo State when police operatives intercepted and arrested him.

When questioned about whether he knew the exact location of the person he intended to confront, Odo initially said he did not know the particular state but confirmed that he was heading to Oyo State.

“The information is with me,” he said, suggesting that he had information that could help him locate the individual.

Suspect Says He Bought Pistol for ₦20,000
When questioned about the firearm recovered from him, Odo said he purchased the pistol from a friend for ₦20,000.

“I bought it from my friend,” he said.
Asked what his friend did with firearms, the suspect said the individual might be a hunter.

“I don’t know, maybe he’s a hunter. A hunter who kills with pistol? Yes, he has this one and long, so he was the one that sell this one for me, 20,000,” he said.

Suspect Confirms Membership of Vikings Confraternity

During the interview, Odo was also questioned about reports that his deceased brother belonged to a cult group.

He said he could not confirm whether his brother was a member.

“Maybe he belongs, maybe he did not belong, because I was not there with him,” he said.

However, when asked whether he belonged to a cult group himself, the suspect answered in the affirmative and identified the group as Vikings.

The police said investigations were ongoing to establish the suspect’s connections and determine whether other individuals were involved in the alleged planned revenge killing.

 

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Crime

Police Rescue Three Kidnap Victims in Taraba After Sustained Pressure

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Police Rescue Three Kidnap Victims in Taraba After Sustained Pressure
The Nigeria Police Force has disclosed the rescue of three kidnapped victims in Taraba State following sustained pressure mounted by its rescue teams.

The victims were identified as Otuwe Torhumba, 37; Kenneth Nyiutse, 35; and Michael Emmanuel, 27.

The Force made the disclosure on Saturday, October 3, 2026, in its 24-hour operational update covering security operations recorded across the country on October 2.

ALSO READ: 2027: Ogun Police Begins Early Election Security Preparations, Warns Against Political Violence

According to the Police, “Due to sustained pressure by Police rescue teams, three of five kidnapped victims — Otuwe Torhumba (37), Kenneth Nyiutse (35) and Michael Emmanuel (27) — were rescued unharmed and reunited with their families.”

The Police said the three victims were rescued unharmed and subsequently reunited with their families.

The Force did not provide further details on the circumstances surrounding the abduction or the whereabouts of the remaining two victims in the operational summary.

The case is currently being investigated by the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Jalingo.

The rescue was among several operational successes recorded by the Nigeria Police Force during the reporting period.

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Crime

Police Rescue 86-Year-Old Man, Son From Suspected Cultists in C’Rivers

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The Nigeria Police Force has disclosed the rescue of an 86-year-old man and his son after they were allegedly detained by suspected members of the Axe Men confraternity in Cross River State.

The victims, identified as Dominic Columbus Udoh, 86, and his son, Emmanuel Columbus Udoh, 40, were rescued by Police operatives on Friday, October 2, 2026.

The Police made the disclosure on Saturday, October 3, in its 24-hour operational update detailing security successes recorded across the country.

SEE ALSO: Benue: Police Repel Bandit Ambush, Recover Locally Fabricated Gun

According to the Force, Police operatives were mobilised to the scene after receiving information that suspected Axe Men confraternity cultists had unlawfully detained the two men.

The Police said the suspected cultists fled from the scene when operatives arrived.
The Force stated that officers, with assistance from neighbours, “forced open the locked apartment,” where the two victims were found.

According to the Police, both victims had sustained facial and chest injuries.

They were subsequently rescued and conveyed to the Police Hospital for medical treatment.

The Police said the incident is currently being investigated by the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Calabar.

 

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