By Ado Oyeyemi
Human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has rejected the Department of State Services’ explanation for the arrest of journalist Zainab Sodiq, insisting that her detention was connected to his bail process rather than the possession of a drone.
Sowore made the allegation in a post on his X handle on Thursday, shortly after the DSS announced that Sodiq was being investigated for travelling with an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) without the mandatory End User Certificate.
According to him, the security agency’s claim was misleading, maintaining that Sodiq was not arrested because of the drone.
He alleged that the DSS had monitored her for some time due to her association with him.
Sowore stated that the DJI Mavic Air drone at the centre of the controversy belonged to him and had previously been used in covering elections and other public events.
He explained that while at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, he informed DSS operatives that the drone was his property and instructed Sodiq to leave it behind before continuing her trip to Abuja.
The activist further claimed that Sodiq was travelling with his international passport, which was required to fulfil the bail conditions imposed by Justice M.G. Umar.
He alleged that the real intention of the security agency was to stop the passport from reaching Abuja and frustrate the completion of his bail process.
Sowore also alleged that after honouring an invitation to the DSS office voluntarily, Sodiq was immediately taken into custody without being allowed to pay the fare for the ride that brought her there.
He said his legal team later contacted the Director-General of the DSS, Tosin Ajayi, who reportedly described the detention as a routine screening connected to the drone.
However, Sowore claimed the agency changed its position after he publicised the journalist’s detention on social media.
Accusing the DSS of using state institutions to intimidate journalists, activists and critics of government, Sowore argued that the incident reflected a broader pattern of harassment and suppression of dissent.
Meanwhile, the DSS had earlier maintained that Sodiq was intercepted on Monday at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos by its operatives in collaboration with officials of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria’s Aviation Security unit while travelling to Abuja with a drone allegedly lacking the required authorisation.
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The service said its actions were in compliance with regulations issued by the Office of the National Security Adviser governing the acquisition and operation of drones, adding that investigations into the matter were still ongoing.
