The Department of State Services (DSS) has confirmed the detention of journalist Zainab Sodiq, stating that she is being investigated for allegedly transporting a drone without the required government authorisation.
In a statement released on Thursday, DSS spokesperson Favour Dozie said Sodiq was intercepted on July 6 at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos by officials of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) Aviation Security and DSS operatives while travelling to Abuja with an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).
The agency said she did not have an End User Certificate (EUC), a document required under Nigeria’s national security regulations for the acquisition and use of certain drones.
According to the DSS, Sodiq admitted she did not possess the required certificate and was allowed to continue her journey to Abuja because she had a prior engagement. She was, however, directed to report to the DSS headquarters on Wednesday for further investigation.
The service explained that the investigation is being carried out under regulations issued by the Office of the National Security Adviser, which empower security agencies to impound drones and sanction individuals or organisations operating them without the necessary clearance.
The DSS added that the move was necessary due to security concerns surrounding unauthorised drone operations and reaffirmed its commitment to professionalism and the rule of law.
The confirmation followed allegations by activist and African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore, who claimed Sodiq was detained to frustrate the perfection of his bail. Sowore insisted the DJI Mavic Air drone belonged to him and that Sodiq was only transporting it on his behalf.
He further alleged that although Sodiq honoured the DSS invitation over the seized drone, she was detained upon arriving at the agency’s headquarters in Abuja.
