Journalist Zainab Sodiq has been released after spending several days in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS), following public outcry over her detention.
Her release was announced on Friday by activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, who said sustained pressure from Nigerians, lawyers, civil society organisations and press freedom advocates contributed to securing her freedom.
“We have good news! Ms Zainab Sadiq is finally free from the grip of repression,” Sowore wrote in a Facebook post.
He also expressed appreciation to human rights lawyer Femi Falana, the President of International Press Institute Nigeria, Musikilu Mojeed, lawyer Deji Adeyanju, Amnesty International Nigeria, members of the Take It Back Movement, journalists and other Nigerians for their intervention.
Sodiq’s release came a day after the DSS defended her detention, stating that she was being investigated for allegedly transporting a drone without the required End User Certificate (EUC), a security clearance issued under regulations overseen by the Office of the National Security Adviser for certain categories of drones.
According to the security agency, she was intercepted by officials of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and DSS operatives at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos on July 6 while travelling to Abuja with an unmanned aerial vehicle.
The DSS said Sodiq admitted she did not possess the required documentation and was instructed to report for further investigation.
However, Sowore disputed the agency’s account, insisting the drone belonged to him and alleging that Sodiq was targeted because she works with him as a journalist covering his activities.
He further claimed she was travelling with his international passport, which he needed to submit in court as part of the conditions attached to his bail in his ongoing cybercrime and criminal defamation case.
According to Sowore, the interception and detention were aimed at frustrating the fulfilment of his bail conditions, an allegation the DSS has not publicly addressed.
Sowore is currently facing trial over allegations of cyberbullying President Bola Tinubu after referring to him as a criminal in social media posts last year. He has denied the charges.
After his earlier bail was revoked for failing to appear in court, he was remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre before being granted fresh bail on June 30 under stricter conditions, including the surrender of his international passport.
As of the time of filing this report, the DSS had not issued any statement on Sodiq’s release or disclosed whether its investigation into the alleged drone permit violation had been concluded.
The agency’s spokesperson, Favour Dozie, had also not responded to enquiries seeking comments on the development.
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
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