The Department of State Services has confirmed the detention of journalist Sodiq Zainab, saying she is being investigated for allegedly possessing an unmanned aerial vehicle without the required authorisation.
The confirmation comes hours after reports emerged that Zainab, known for covering the activities of human rights activist and African Action Congress presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, had been arrested by the agency.
In a statement on X, issued by the Deputy Director of Public Relations and Strategic Communications, Favour Dozie, on Thursday, the DSS said Zainab was intercepted on July 6 by operatives of the agency and officials of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria Aviation Security at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, while attempting to board a flight to Abuja with an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle.
The statement read, “Subject was intercepted by FAAN AVSEC and operatives of DSS at Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos on July 6, 2026 with an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) enroute Abuja from MMIA border control without an ‘End User Certificate’ (EUC).”
The agency added that the interception was carried out “in compliance with National Security Adviser (NSA) extant regulations, which placed restrictions on acquisition and use of drones.”
According to the DSS, when confronted, Zainab allegedly admitted she was not in possession of the required documents.
The Service said, “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.”
It further stated that “service investigation has commenced” in line with regulations empowering it to impound and sanction individuals or corporate entities operating remotely piloted aircraft systems without authorisation.
The DSS said the investigation was necessitated by “global and domestic security concerns associated with operation of drones, especially issues of privacy breaches and safety of individuals.”
The agency added, “To this end, the Service reaffirms its commitment to professionalism and adherence to Rule of Law.”
Before the DSS statement, Third Lens had reported Wednesday that Zainab was reportedly lured and arrested by operatives of the agency in Abuja.
A source familiar with the incident said the journalist received a call asking her to “pick a drone” before she was subsequently detained by the DSS.
The arrest also drew condemnation from the Take It Back Movement, which described the journalist’s detention as unlawful.
In a statement, the group’s National Coordinator, Juwon Sanyaolu, said Zainab was arrested solely for carrying out her professional duties covering the activities of Sowore.
He described the arrest as “yet another dangerous assault on press freedom, democracy and human rights,” insisting that “Journalism is not a crime. Reporting the activities of public figures is not an offence,” while demanding her immediate and unconditional release.
The group also called on the DSS to publicly disclose the legal basis for her detention and urged media organisations, civil society groups and democratic forces to resist what it described as attempts to intimidate journalists and suppress dissent.
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