The Department of State Services has confirmed the detention of journalist Zainab Sodiq, saying she is being investigated for allegedly operating a drone without the required authorisation.
The confirmation came after African Action Congress presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, and the Take It Back Movement accused the secret police of unlawfully detaining the journalist and demanded her immediate release.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the DSS said Sodiq was intercepted by officials of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria Aviation Security and DSS operatives at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on July 6 while travelling to Abuja with an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle.
According to the agency, Sodiq was unable to produce an End User Certificate required under existing regulations governing the acquisition and operation of drones in Nigeria.
“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 en route Abuja from MMIA without an End User Certificate,” the statement read.
