Investigative journalist Fisayo Soyombo has revealed why he chose not to involve the Nigerian military in his recent investigation into crude oil bunkering in the Niger Delta.
Speaking during an interview on Inside Sources with Laolu Akande on Channels Television aired on Friday, Mr Soyombo pointed to alleged collusion between security operatives, including military personnel, and oil bunkers.
“The most important point to make is that illegal oil bunkers bribe security operatives across the different security agencies, bribe them to make the bunkering happen.
“That is the real story – the fact that those who should be ending bunkering are partners, collaborators, allies of those involved in illegal oil bunkering and that is why I could not carry the military along,” Soyombo said.
Soyombo was recently detained by the Nigerian Army for three days following a raid on an illegal oil bunkering site in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. The army claimed he was arrested during the raid. However, Soyombo suggested that his detention was linked to information leaks by military personnel.
Despite his allegations, Soyombo clarified that not all military personnel are complicit, acknowledging that some individuals within the security forces are genuinely working to end illegal oil bunkering. However, the systemic corruption among certain operatives posed significant risks to his work.
