The Nigerian National Committee of the International Press Institute (IPI Nigeria) has announced the release of journalist Zainab Sodiq, who was detained by the Department of State Services (DSS) over her possession of a drone.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the Secretary of IPI Nigeria, Ahmed Shekarau, said Ms Sodiq was released to the Institute’s leadership at about 7:30 p.m. on Friday, July 10, 2026, following the organisation’s intervention.
Ms Sodiq was reportedly intercepted by security operatives at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos on Monday, July 6, 2026, while preparing to travel with the drone.
Although she was allowed to continue her journey to Abuja on Monday, she was directed to report to the DSS headquarters on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, where she was subsequently detained for possessing the device without the requisite End User Certificate.
IPI Nigeria has confirmed that Ms Sodiq has now been released to the Institute’s leadership.
