The Department of State Services (DSS) has confirmed the detention of journalist Zainab Sodiq, saying she is being investigated for allegedly travelling with a drone (unmanned aerial vehicle) without the required End User Certificate.
According to the DSS, 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, 2026, while en route to Abuja. The agency said she admitted she did not possess the necessary authorisation documents required under regulations governing drone operations in Nigeria.
Human rights activist Omoyele Sowore condemned the detention, alleging that Sodiq who has covered his political activities was being unfairly targeted. He demanded her immediate release and claimed the DSS had continued to hold her after news of her detention became public.
The DSS rejected allegations of political persecution, insisting that the detention is based solely on an investigation into the alleged breach of drone regulations and not Sodiq’s journalistic work. The agency said the probe is being conducted in line with national security procedures
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