The Department of State Services (DSS) has officially confirmed the detention of journalist Zainab Sodiq, an associate of Omoyele Sowore. Favour Dozie, the agency’s Deputy Director of Public Relations and Strategic Communications, stated that Sodiq was stopped on July 6, 2026, at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos.
Security personnel from the DSS and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) intercepted Sodiq as she prepared to board a flight to Abuja. She was carrying an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) but lacked the mandatory End User Certificate required for drone possession. This enforcement aligns with current guidelines from the Office of the National Security Adviser regarding the regulation of drone usage.
While Sodiq acknowledged her failure to produce the necessary permits during initial questioning, authorities permitted her to proceed on her flight to Abuja due to existing commitments. However, she was instructed to report to the DSS National Headquarters on July 8 to assist with further inquiries. The agency indicated that it is currently reviewing the matter under established laws governing Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems, citing broader security and public safety concerns related to unauthorized drone operations.
