Nigerians are asking the government to ensure the safety of Fisayo Soyombo, an investigative reporter who undercovered the bribery and corruption in the police system.
He spent two weeks in detention-five days in a Police cell and eight as an inmate in Ikoyi Prison — to track corruption in Nigeria’s criminal justice system, beginning from the moment of arrest by the Police to the point of release from prison.
Here are some of the reactions from Nigerians.
In #Nigeria the crime is in exposing the crime, not committing the crime.
Think Salkida, think Agba Jalingo, think Jafar Jafar. @fisayosoyombo "did wrong" by talking about the rot in our prisons. #keepFisayosafe #JournalismIsNotACrime
— Chxta (@Chxta) October 22, 2019
#NewAlert! Nigeria's investigative journalist @fisayosoyombo feels unsafe over plans to arrest him after exposing #corruption in the #police and #prisons in an UNDERCOVER INVESTIGATIVE story published @thecableng and @TheICIR #DontArrestFisayo #KeepFisayoSafe#CashAndCarryPrison
— ✍ Sèyí Gesindé – Ghéshè (@GhesheS) October 22, 2019
Someone goes undercover, exposes a rot, and the next logical reaction is to find him and teach him a lesson. Is this how to go forward? @fisayosoyombo should not be hiding for his life but is now having to because of credible threats. #journalismisnotacrime #keepFisayosafe
— Lolade Chioma Nwanze (@LoladeSowoolu) October 22, 2019
You cannot claim to fight corruption, yet turn around to witchhunt a journalist who went undercover (at risk to his own life) to expose the biggest corruption racket within your own law enforcement agency. It shows your corruption fight is nothing but a fraud! #keepfisayosafe
— Ayò-Bánkólé Akíntújoyè (@AyoBankole) October 22, 2019
According to information received, the personal safety of the investigative journalist, @fisayosoyombo may be under threat.
We urge the @NigeriaGov to guarantee his safety.#PressFreedom#KeepFisayoSafe#CashAnCarry pic.twitter.com/QeQC3gMaZD— EiE Nigeria (@EiENigeria) October 22, 2019
@fisayosoyombo and other investigative journalists like him who reflect the seamy sides of our hugely flawed system must be protected, not just by the people but even by governments that are genuinely committed to making change happen! #keepfisayosafe
— JJ. Omojuwa (@Omojuwa) October 22, 2019
Dear President @MBuhari, can't keep talk about fighting corruption but one who does expose it is under threat. Please, #keepfisayosafe. https://t.co/Cf1eOHPt6S
— Ufuoma Egbamuno (@Foskolo) October 22, 2019
I knew we’re going to trend hashtag when I read this account of Nigeria’s dysfunction, from the eyes of an investigative journalist. Nigeria has become that predictable, and it scares me that this is becoming the norm. Fisayo is in hiding after threats of arrest. #KeepFisayoSafe https://t.co/8iaUf80a9W
— Gimba Kakanda (@gimbakakanda) October 22, 2019
As we trend #keepfisayosafe, my honest advice to @fisayosoyombo is to KEEP HIMSELF SAFE. No journalist and indeed, nobody deserves to be punished for doing their job a little too well.
— Ohimai Amaize (@MrFixNigeria) October 22, 2019
Fisayo Soyombo is prolific writer, his third and final part of his investigative series will be published Wednesday, October 23.
Yes. He has to lay very low.
How are we expected to tell stories that matter If our best and bravest are hunted down for doing their job while the rest of the citizenry for whom we unearth these stories unlook? #KeepFisayoSafe
— Sandra Ezekwesili (@SEzekwesili) October 22, 2019
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