Although Ms. Sodiq was released on Friday night without any formal charge, the DSS has continued to withhold four mobile phones and other devices she used in the course of her journalistic work.
The Department of State Services (DSS) has refused to return the phones, drone, and other electronic equipment belonging to journalist Zainab Sodiq, even after releasing her without charge following three days of detention, SaharaReporters has learnt.
Ms. Sodiq, a journalist who has been covering the activities of human rights activist and African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, was detained by the secret police after she was found in possession of a DJI Mavic Air 2 drone belonging to Sowore.
According to information available, the DSS Director-General, Tosin Ajayi, personally supervised her detention.
Sources also indicated that the DSS leadership was angered by a series of reports published by SaharaReporters alleging violations of Nigerians' rights by the agency, as well as growing public criticism of the DSS's prosecution of Sowore over his description of President Bola Tinubu as "a criminal."
