The Department of State Services, DSS, said its operatives arrested Zainab Sodiq, a journalist who covers presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore, for allegedly being in possession of a drone “without the required documents.”
Favour Dozie, Deputy Director of Public Relations and Strategic Communications at the DSS, said in a statement on Thursday that Sodiq was intercepted by operatives of Aviation Security, AVSEC, and the DSS at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos on July 6.
According to the statement, she was found with an “Unmanned Aerial Vehicle, UAV, enroute Abuja from MMIA border control without an ‘End User Certificate’, EUC.”
Dozie said the journalist is currently being held at the DSS national headquarters in Abuja.
“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 said.
“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 DSS added that, in line with NSA regulations, it has begun an investigation into the unauthorised use of Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems, RPAS.
It noted that the rules empower the service to impound and sanction individuals or organisations operating drones anywhere in the country without approval.
The agency said the action was necessary due to growing global and domestic security concerns, especially over privacy breaches and the safety of individuals.
Reacting 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.”
