Nigeria’s secret police, the Department of State Services (DSS), has detained journalist Zainab Sodiq, who is prominent for covering the activities of former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore. According to the security agency, Sodiq was arrested for being in possession of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), commonly known as a drone, without the necessary regulatory authorization.
The arrest took place on July 6 at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos. Sodiq was intercepted by a joint team of DSS operatives and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) Aviation Security (AVSEC) while she was preparing to board a flight to Abuja. Authorities stated that she failed to produce an End User Certificate (EUC), which is mandatory for possessing and transporting drones under current Nigerian laws.
Regulatory Breach and Investigation Details
In an official statement, the DSS Deputy Director of Public Relations and Strategic Communications, Favour Dozie, confirmed that Sodiq is currently being held at the agency’s national headquarters in Abuja. The agency explained that Sodiq’s travel was initially permitted due to prior engagements she had in the federal capital, under the condition that she report for questioning on Wednesday, July 8.
According to the DSS, the journalist admitted during questioning that she did not possess the required clearance documents. The security service reiterated that the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) maintains strict guidelines on the acquisition and operation of Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) to mitigate national security risks, protect privacy, and guarantee public safety.
Under these regulations, the DSS is empowered to:
- Impound unauthorized drones and related equipment across Nigeria.
- Sanction individuals or organizations operating UAVs without explicit approvals.
- Conduct comprehensive investigations into breaches of airspace and security protocols.
Sowore Alleges Political Intimidation
The detention has drawn sharp criticism from political activist Omoyele Sowore, who claims the arrest is politically motivated. Reacting to the development on the social media platform X, Sowore argued that Sodiq was being targeted because of her professional alignment with him.
Sowore asserted that Sodiq’s only ‘crime’ was performing her duties as a media professional covering his daily activities. He accused the current administration of desperation and condemned the actions of the DSS leadership.
Despite these allegations, the DSS maintains that the enforcement action is strictly regulatory and unrelated to her journalism, emphasizing that the laws governing drone operations apply to all citizens and organizations within Nigeria.