Journalist linked to Sowore is released from SSS detention

Zainab Sodiq, the journalist whose detention by the State Security Service (SSS) got many people talking, is now free after spending days in custody.

Omoyele Sowore, an activist and presidential candidate, announced her release on Friday. He said it happened because of the pressure from Nigerians, civil society groups, and lawyers who called for her freedom.

“We have good news! Ms Zainab Sodiq is finally free from the grip of repression,” Mr Sowore wrote on Facebook. He thanked human rights lawyer Femi Falana, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Musikilu Mojeed, the President of International Press Institute (IPI) Nigeria, Deji Adeyanju, Amnesty International Nigeria, the Take It Back Movement, journalists, and other Nigerians for their help.

Ms Sodiq was set free just a day after the SSS defended her detention. They claimed she was being investigated for allegedly transporting a drone without the necessary End User Certificate (EUC). This document is needed under the rules set by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) for specific drones.

The SSS said that on July 6, Ms Sodiq was stopped by officials from the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and SSS agents at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, while she was on her way to Abuja with an unmanned aerial vehicle.

They claimed she admitted not having the required papers and was then told to come back for more questioning.

Mr Sowore, however, disagreed with the SSS's story. He said the drone belonged to him and that Ms Sodiq was targeted because she works as a journalist covering his activities.

He mentioned that she was travelling to Abuja with his passport. He needed it to deposit in court as part of his bail conditions in a case against him for cybercrime and criminal defamation.

Mr Sowore accused the SSS of trying to stop him from getting his bail by detaining Ms Sodiq. The SSS has not publicly replied to this claim.

Mr Sowore is facing trial for cyberbullying President Bola Tinubu by calling him a criminal in social media posts last year. He insists he has done nothing wrong.

After his bail was revoked for not showing up in court, he was sent to Kuje Correctional Centre. He got new bail on June 30 under stricter conditions, including giving up his international passport.

The SSS has not said anything about Ms Sodiq’s release or if their investigation into the drone permit issue is over.

As of the time of this report, SSS spokesperson Favour Dozie had not replied to our correspondent's request for comments.