DSS confirms detention of journalist Zainab Sodiq as Sowore alleges bid to frustrate bail process

The Department of State Services (DSS) has confirmed the detention of journalist Zainab Sodiq over her alleged possession of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) without the requisite authorisation documents.

However, activist and publisher Omoyele Sowore has disputed the Service’s account, alleging that the action was intended to frustrate his bail process.

In a statement issued on Thursday by the DSS spokesman, Favour Dozie, the Service said Sodiq was intercepted by aviation security officials and DSS operatives at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on July 6 while travelling to Abuja with a drone that allegedly lacked an End User Certificate.

“The subject was intercepted at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, while en route to Abuja with an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle without an End User Certificate as required under extant regulations,” the statement said.

The DSS added that Sodiq acknowledged not possessing the necessary documents and was allowed to continue to Abuja because of a prior engagement before being directed to report for further investigation.

The agency maintained that it is empowered under extant regulations issued by the National Security Adviser to impound and sanction unauthorised drone operators, stressing that the probe is informed by security, privacy and public safety concerns.

However, in a post on X early Thursday, Sowore rejected the DSS account, describing Sodiq’s detention as unlawful.

He claimed the drone involved was his personal media drone, which he said Sodiq was carrying in her capacity as a journalist covering his activities.

“The DJI Mavic Air drone in question belongs personally to me,” Sowore wrote, adding that he had informed DSS personnel at the airport of its ownership and instructed Sodiq to leave it behind and proceed to Abuja with his international passport, which he said was required to perfect the bail conditions imposed on him by Justice M. G. Umar.

Sowore further alleged that the true objective of the operation was to prevent the passport from reaching Abuja and thereby jeopardise his release on bail.

According to him, lawyers acting on his behalf later contacted the Director-General of the DSS, whom he said acknowledged that Sodiq was in custody and described the matter as a routine screening connected with the drone.

Sowore also alleged that the agency subsequently expressed displeasure over his public disclosure of the detention on social media.

The DSS has not publicly responded to those specific allegations beyond its official statement on the circumstances surrounding Sodiq’s detention.