The State Security Service (SSS) has confirmed that they are holding Zainab Sodiq, a journalist who covers activist Omoyele Sowore's activities.
The SSS stated early Thursday morning that she is under investigation for allegedly transporting a drone without the necessary government approval.
Sowore, who is the publisher of Sahara Reporters and a presidential candidate for the African Action Congress (AAC) in the 2027 election, has rejected this explanation. He claims the arrest is meant to disrupt his bail process.
Sowore previously ran for president on the AAC platform in 2019 and 2023. He is currently facing trial for alleged cybercrime and criminal defamation related to social media posts about President Bola Tinubu. He denies these allegations.
His bail was revoked earlier because he did not appear in court. He was sent to Kuje Correctional Centre but was granted new bail on June 30 by Justice Mohammed Umar. The new bail conditions included a N200 million bond, two sureties, and the deposit of his international passport.
At the last hearing on July 6, the prosecution argued that he had not met the bail conditions and asked the court to send him back to custody.
On July 8, Sowore raised concerns that Ms Sodiq had been arrested. He claimed her detention was meant to frustrate his bail because she was carrying his international passport.
A statement from SSS spokesperson Favour Dozie, posted on X via the agency’s handle, said Ms Sodiq was stopped on July 6 by aviation security officials and SSS operatives at Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos. She was traveling to Abuja with a drone.
The agency stated that she did not have an End User Certificate (EUC), which is needed under national security rules for using drones in Nigeria.
According to the SSS, Ms Sodiq admitted she lacked the required documents. She was allowed to board her flight because she had a prior engagement in Abuja but was told to report to the agency the next day for further questioning.
The SSS said the investigation follows regulations from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA). These rules allow security agencies to seize and punish people or organizations using drones without permission.
The SSS explained that this action is due to security concerns related to drone operations, including privacy issues and the safety of individuals.
Sowore, however, disagrees with the SSS's reasoning. He claims that Ms Sodiq was detained because of her connection to him and not because of the drone.
In a social media post on Thursday, he said the drone taken by the SSS belonged to him and had been used for legitimate media work, including covering elections.
Sowore added that he informed SSS officials in Lagos that the drone was his. He said Ms Sodiq was simply transporting it while covering his activities as a journalist.
He told Ms Sodiq to leave the drone with airport officials and continue to Abuja since she was carrying his passport needed for his bail conditions.
Sowore alleged that the real aim was to keep the passport from reaching Abuja in time to complete his bail. He said Ms Sodiq was taken into custody after going to the SSS headquarters.
He also claimed that the SSS later used the drone issue to justify her detention after he spoke about the incident on social media.
PREMIUM TIMES could not confirm Sowore’s claims independently.
The SSS statement did not mention Sowore or his court case. It focused solely on Ms Sodiq’s alleged failure to have the needed End User Certificate.
Sowore described the arrest as part of the Tinubu administration's efforts to silence critical voices.
In recent years, Nigeria has tightened drone regulations because of rising concerns over their use by criminals and terrorist groups.
Drones are now widely used by photographers, filmmakers, and media organizations for aerial imaging and other purposes. But security agencies have warned that armed groups have also started using them.
Terrorist groups like the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) have used drones for spying and propaganda.
Security experts have raised alarms about non-state actors modifying civilian drones for harmful purposes, leading authorities to enforce stricter controls.
In Nigeria, drone operations are regulated by two main frameworks.
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) oversees safety and operations of drones, including registration and flight approvals.
Separately, the Office of the National Security Adviser requires an End User Certificate before certain drones can be imported or used. This also allows the SSS and other agencies to seize drones and penalize those operating them without approval.
The SSS stated that their investigation into Ms Sodiq is based on these national security regulations and reaffirmed their commitment to professionalism and the rule of law.
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