The Department of State Services (DSS) has confirmed the detention of journalist Zainab Sodiq, saying she is being investigated for allegedly operating a drone without the required authorisation, even as activist Omoyele Sowore and the Take It Back Movement insist her detention is politically motivated and have called for her immediate release.
Key Highlights:
- DSS confirms detention of journalist Zainab Sodiq.
- Agency says she was found with a drone without an End User Certificate.
- DSS insists investigation is based on national security regulations.
- Sowore claims the drone belongs to him and was used for media coverage.
- Activist alleges detention was aimed at frustrating his bail process.
- Take It Back Movement condemns the arrest and demands Sodiq’s immediate release.
- DSS says it is acting in accordance with the law and due process.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the DSS said Sodiq was intercepted by officials of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) Aviation Security and DSS operatives at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, on July 6, while travelling to Abuja with an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV).
According to the agency, the journalist failed to produce the mandatory End User Certificate, a document required under Nigerian regulations governing the acquisition and operation of drones.
“The Department of State Services confirms the detention of one Zainab Sodiq at its National Headquarters, Abuja. She was intercepted at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport with an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle without an End User Certificate,” the statement said.
Read Also:
- NUJ To Confer Man Of The Year Award On DSS Boss
- DSS arrest suspected gun courier in Kano
- Cause Of Abacha’s Death Revealed: Former DSS Director dismisses poisoning claims
The DSS stated that Sodiq admitted she did not possess the required authorisation but was allowed to continue her journey to Abuja because she had a prior engagement. She was subsequently directed to report to the agency’s headquarters for further investigation.
The service explained that the investigation is being conducted in line with regulations issued by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), which empower security agencies to impound and sanction individuals or organisations operating drones without the necessary approvals.
According to the DSS, the probe is driven by national security concerns surrounding the use of drones, including issues of privacy, public safety and the protection of critical infrastructure.
The agency reaffirmed its commitment to professionalism and adherence to the rule of law throughout the investigation.
However, Sowore rejected the DSS’s explanation, insisting that Sodiq was detained because of her association with him rather than the drone.
The former presidential candidate claimed the DJI Mavic Air drone belongs to him and has been used legally for media coverage of elections and other public events.
Sowore further alleged that the real objective of the seizure was to prevent Sodiq from delivering his international passport to Abuja, a requirement for the perfection of the bail granted to him by a Federal High Court.
He also claimed that after complying with the DSS invitation regarding the drone, Sodiq was taken into custody upon arriving at the agency’s Abuja office.
According to Sowore, lawyers representing him contacted the Director-General of the DSS, who initially described the matter as a routine screening before the situation allegedly changed after the detention became public.
The Take It Back Movement also condemned the journalist’s detention, alleging that Sodiq was lured to Abuja under the pretext of collecting the seized drone before being detained.
The movement argued that journalists should not be criminalised for carrying out their lawful professional duties and urged the DSS to either release Sodiq immediately or charge her before a competent court if any offence had been committed.
The incident has reignited concerns among press freedom advocates over the treatment of journalists and the balance between national security enforcement and media freedom in Nigeria.
