The Department of State Services (DSS) says its operatives arrested Zainab Sodiq, a journalist who covers the activities of presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore, for having a drone “without the required documents”.
Favour Dozie, deputy director, public relations and
strategic communications at the DSS, in a statement on Thursday, said Sodiq was
intercepted by operatives of Aviation Security (AVSEC), the armed wing of the
Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN); and operatives of the DSS at the
Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos on July 6 with an “Unmanned
Aerial Vehicle (UAV) en route Abuja from MMIA border control without an ‘End
User Certificate’ (EUC)”.
Dozie said the journalist is currently being held at its
national headquarters in Abuja.
“It is to be noted that, in compliance with National
Security Adviser (NSA), Extant Regulations, which placed restrictions on
acquisition and use of drones, Sodiq was intercepted while trying to board a
flight to Abuja,” the statement reads.
“When confronted, she admitted to not being in possession of
the required documents.
“Following due process, Sodiq was allowed to board her
scheduled flight in view of a prior engagement in Abuja.
“She was, however, directed to report on Wednesday, 8 July,
for the continuation of the investigation.”
The statement added that, in line with the NSA’s
regulations, the service has begun an investigation into the unauthorised use
of remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS).
It noted that the rules empower the DSS to impound and
sanction individuals or corporate organisations operating drones anywhere in
the country without approval.
It said the action was necessary because of growing global
and domestic security concerns, especially over privacy breaches and the safety
of individuals.
In a post on X, Sowore said: “DSS has just arrested Zainab
Sodiq, the journalist who covers my daily activities, and detained her at its
headquarters in Abuja.
“Her only ‘crime’ is doing her job as a journalist. The
@officialABAT regime is running scared. They are very desperate but it will not
end well for DSS DG, Tosin Ajayi at all.”
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