DSS arrests journalist who covers Sowore’s activities for possessing drone without certificate

The Department of State Services (DSS) has said journalist Zainab Sodiq, who covers the activities of presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore, was arrested for allegedly being in possession of a drone without the required authorisation documents.

In a statement issued on Thursday, July 9,  the DSS Deputy Director of Public Relations and Strategic Communications, Favour Dozie, said Sodiq was intercepted on July 6 at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, by operatives of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) Aviation Security (AVSEC) and the DSS. According to the agency, Sodiq was found with an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) while preparing to travel from Lagos to Abuja without an End User Certificate (EUC) required under existing regulations.

The DSS said Sodiq is currently being held at its national headquarters in Abuja while investigations continue. According to the statement, “It is to be noted that, in compliance with National Security Adviser (NSA), Extant Regulations, which placed restrictions on acquisition and use of drones, Sodiq was intercepted while trying to board a flight to Abuja.”

The agency added, “When confronted, she admitted to not being in possession of the required documents.” The DSS said Sodiq was initially allowed to board her scheduled flight because she had a prior engagement in Abuja but was instructed to report on Wednesday, July 8, for the continuation of the investigation.

The service said it had commenced an investigation into the unauthorised use of Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) in line with regulations issued by the Office of the National Security Adviser. It stated that the regulations empower the DSS to impound drones and sanction individuals or organisations found operating them anywhere in Nigeria without the necessary approvals.

According to the agency, the restrictions are intended to address growing domestic and global security concerns, including privacy violations and threats to public safety. Reacting to the development, Omoyele Sowore alleged that the journalist was being targeted because of her work.

In a post on X, he wrote, “DSS has just arrested Zainab Sodiq, the journalist who covers my daily activities, and detained her at its headquarters in Abuja. Her only ‘crime’ is doing her job as a journalist. The @officialABAT regime is running scared. They are very desperate but it will not end well for DSS DG, Tosin Ajayi at all.”

The DSS, however, maintains that Sodiq’s arrest is connected to an alleged violation of regulations governing the possession and use of drones in Nigeria.