Journalist covering Sowore detained by DSS over alleged drone permit violation

The Department of State Services (DSS) has provided the justification for the arrest of a journalist, Zainab Sodiq, famous for reporting the actions of the previous presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore.

In a statement released on Thursday, the department said that Sodiq was arrested for allegedly traveling with a drone in absence of all the required legal documents.

According to the DSS, the spokesperson of the department, Favour Dozie, Deputy Director of Public Relations and Strategic Communications, said that the arrest of the journalist occurred on July 6 at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport by operatives of Aviation Security (AVSEC), which is the armed wing of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), and officers of the DSS.

The department further said that Sodiq was traveling with an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), popularly referred to as a drone, from Lagos to Abuja but without possessing the End User Certificate (EUC), which is necessary for legally owning and using certain drone equipment.

The DSS stated that Sodiq was arrested and is now detained at its national headquarters in Abuja pending further investigations.

“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 statement reads.

“When confronted, she admitted to not being in possession of the required documents.

“Following due process, Sodiq was allowed to board her scheduled flight in view of a prior engagement in Abuja.

“She was, however, directed to report on Wednesday, 8 July, for the continuation of the investigation.”

The statement added that, in line with the NSA’s regulations, the service has begun an investigation into the unauthorised use of remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS).

It noted that the rules empower the DSS to impound and sanction individuals or corporate organisations operating drones anywhere in the country without approval.

It said the action was necessary because of growing global and domestic security concerns, especially over privacy breaches and the safety of individuals.

In a post on X, Sowore said: “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.”