DSS cites missing certificate; activist alleges arrest aimed at blocking bail compliance through confiscation of passport
The Department of State Services has detained journalist Zainab Sodiq, who covers the activities of presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore, on allegations that she transported an unmanned aerial vehicle without the required documentation.
However, Sowore has dismissed the explanation as a pretext, alleging that the real objective is to prevent the delivery of his international passport needed to satisfy bail conditions.
Deputy Director of Public Relations and Strategic Communications at the DSS, Favour Dozie, confirmed Sodiq’s detention in a statement on Thursday.
“The Department of State Services confirms detention of one Zainab Sodiq at its National Headquarters, Abuja. Subject was intercepted by FAAN AVSEC and operatives of DSS at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on July 6, 2026, with an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle enroute Abuja from MMIA border control without an ‘End User Certificate’ (EUC)’,” the statement read.
Dozie stated that when confronted, Zainab admitted lacking the required documentation.
“When confronted, she admitted to not being in possession of the required documents. Following due process, Sodiq was allowed to board her scheduled flight in view of a prior engagement in Abuja. She was, however, directed to report on Wednesday, 8 July, for the continuation of the investigation,” Dozie explained.
The DSS cited security concerns and regulatory compliance as justification for the action.
“In compliance with National Security Adviser Extant Regulations, which placed restrictions on acquisition and use of drones, Sodiq was intercepted while trying to board a flight to Abuja. In line with the NSA’s regulations, the service has begun an investigation into the unauthorised use of remotely piloted aircraft systems. It is to be noted that the rules empower the DSS to impound and sanction individuals or corporate organisations operating drones anywhere in the country without approval,” Dozie’s statement said.
Sowore disputes DSS’s detention rationale
Sowore rejected the DSS narrative entirely, characterising the detention as politically motivated. In a statement shared on Thursday, the activist claimed the drone belonged to him and had been used for legitimate media work.
“The DJI Mavic Air drone in question belongs personally to me. When DSS personnel at the Murtala Muhammed Airport domestic terminal seized it from Zainab on Monday on her way to Abuja, I personally spoke with their personnel in Lagos. I explained that the drone was mine, that Zainab was a journalist covering my activities, and that it was a commercial media drone I had used to cover elections and other public events,” Sowore stated.
Sowore alleged that the real objective involved his bail compliance.
“The real objective was to prevent Zainab from reaching Abuja with my international passport, frustrate the perfection of my bail, and create an excuse to send me back to the overcrowded Kuje Prison. After the drone was seized, I instructed Sodiq to leave it with DSS operatives and proceed to Abuja because of the urgency of delivering the passport,” he alleged.
Sowore claimed that his lawyers contacted the DSS Director-General and received an initially reassuring response.
“Lawyers acting on my behalf contacted the Director-General of the DSS, Tosin Ajayi, who initially described the matter as a ‘routine screening’ connected to the drone. We were later told that the DSS leadership was angry because I had publicly exposed Zainab’s unlawful detention via social media posts. Instead of addressing the legality of holding a Nigerian citizen, the concern of Tosin Ajayi became that I had posted about it on social media,” Sowore claimed.
Civil society condemns arrest
The Take It Back Movement issued a statement condemning Zainab’s detention and defending her professional conduct.
“This is not merely about Zainab Sodiq. This is about Omoyele Sowore. This is about the increasing desperation of the Tinubu government and its security machinery to intimidate everyone connected to Sowore, everyone who reports on Sowore, everyone who supports Sowore, and every Nigerian who dares to speak truth to power. A journalist carrying out her lawful duty is not a criminal. Covering the activities of an opposition figure is not a crime. Possessing media equipment is not a crime. Asking questions is not a crime. Reporting the truth is not a crime,” the movement said.
