DSS releases journalist held for carrying drone after IPI intervenes
The DSS has released journalist Zainab Sodiq, who was detained for possessing a drone without the requisite End User Certificate, following IPI Nigeria's intervention.
The Nigerian National Committee of the International Press Institute (IPI Nigeria) has announced the release of journalist Zainab Sodiq, who was detained by the Department of State Services (DSS) over her possession of a drone. In a statement issued on Saturday, the Secretary of IPI Nigeria, Ahmed Shekarau, said Ms Sodiq was released to the Institute's leadership at about 7:30 pm on Friday, July 10, 2026, following the organisation's intervention.
Ms Sodiq was reportedly intercepted by security operatives at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos on Monday, July 6, 2026, while preparing to travel with the drone. Although she was allowed to continue her journey to Abuja on Monday, she was directed to report to the DSS headquarters on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, where she was subsequently detained for possessing the device without the requisite End User Certificate.
IPI Nigeria has confirmed that Ms Sodiq has now been released to the Institute's leadership. Commenting on the development, the President of IPI Nigeria, Musikilu Mojeed, welcomed Ms Sodiq's release and commended the DSS for its engagement with the Institute. "We are pleased that this matter has been resolved and that Ms Sodiq has regained her freedom. We appreciate the DSS for responding to our intervention and for facilitating her release," Mojeed said.
He added: "While we recognise the responsibility of security agencies to enforce laws and regulations designed to protect national security, such responsibilities should always be discharged with due regard for the constitutional rights of journalists and other citizens. We encourage continued dialogue and mutual understanding between security agencies and the media to ensure that legitimate security concerns are addressed without unduly impeding press freedom or journalists carrying out their professional duties," Mojeed said.
IPI Nigeria appreciates all individuals and organisations that expressed concern about the journalist's detention and supported efforts to secure her release. The Institute reiterates its commitment to constructive engagement with relevant authorities to safeguard press freedom while recognising legitimate national security concerns within the framework of the law and respect for fundamental human rights.
The case is the latest in a series of incidents involving journalists and security agencies. In recent months, IPI Nigeria has intervened in the detention of Stanley Ugagbe, a reporter with Secret Reporters, and another journalist in Akwa Ibom. The pattern is familiar: a journalist is detained, the press freedom organisation intervenes, and the journalist is released. The message from the authorities is clear: journalism is not a crime, but journalists who cross certain lines will be held accountable. The problem is that the lines are not clearly drawn.
This echoes the 2018 detention of a journalist for possessing a drone in Abuja, which also required IPI intervention. The mechanism then was different, but the result was the same: journalists facing legal jeopardy for using common tools of their trade.
The winners: IPI Nigeria, which secured the release; Ms Sodiq, who is free; and the DSS, which responded to the intervention. The losers: press freedom in Nigeria, which takes another hit every time a journalist is detained; and the Nigerian public, which loses access to information.
Bottom Line: A journalist was detained for carrying a drone. IPI Nigeria intervened. She was released. That is not a functioning system. That is a recurring pattern.