DSS Arrests Journalist Zainab Sodiq Over Illegal Possession of Drones

July 9 () — The Department of State Services (DSS) has arrested journalist, Zainab Sodiq, over alleged possession of a drone without the required authorisation.

This prompted allegations of political persecution by human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore..

In a statement, the agency said its operatives at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, intercepted Sodiq on July 6 while she was travelling to Abuja with the drone.

According to the DSS, she was subsequently allowed to continue her journey but was directed to report to the agency’s headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday for further questioning.

“The investigation has commenced. This action is necessitated by both global and domestic security concerns associated with the operation of drones, particularly issues relating to privacy breaches and the safety of individuals,” the statement read.

Reacting to the development, Sowore alleged that Sodiq’s arrest was not genuinely about the drone but was aimed at targeting him because of her professional association with him.

According to the activist, the drone belongs to him, while Sodiq was only transporting it from Lagos to Abuja on his behalf.

He accused the DSS of using the journalist as a proxy to harass and intimidate him.

The arrest has sparked renewed debate over Nigeria’s regulations governing the ownership and operation of drones.

Under the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations (NCAR) 2023 issued by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), all civil drones must be registered before they can be operated in Nigeria.

Operators are also required to obtain the appropriate operational authorisation and, for certain categories of drone operations, security clearance and an End User Certificate.

The regulations further prohibit drone operations in restricted airspace, around airports, and other sensitive locations, while also restricting surveillance of individuals or private property without the necessary approvals.

However, the NCAR 2023 does not expressly prescribe penalties for every category of violation, although enforcement may be carried out under applicable aviation and security laws.

Security agencies have repeatedly warned that drones could pose significant risks if deployed without proper regulation, particularly amid growing concerns over their potential use by criminal and terrorist groups.

As of the time of filing this report, it remains unclear whether the drone allegedly owned by Sowore was registered with the NCAA or whether the required End User Certificate had been obtained.