The Department of State Services (DSS) has confirmed the arrest of Zainab Sodiq, a journalist who covers the activities of presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore, over the alleged possession of a drone without the required certification.

In a statement issued on Thursday, Favour Dozie, the DSS Deputy Director of Public Relations and Strategic Communications, said Sodiq was intercepted on July 6 by operatives of the Aviation Security (AVSEC) unit of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) alongside DSS personnel at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos.

According to the statement, Sodiq was found with an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) while preparing to board a flight from Lagos to Abuja but was unable to produce an End User Certificate (EUC), a mandatory document required for the acquisition and operation of drones under existing national security regulations.

The DSS said the journalist is currently being held at its national headquarters in Abuja as investigations continue.

"It is to be noted that, in compliance with National Security Adviser (NSA) extant regulations, which place restrictions on the acquisition and use of drones, Sodiq was intercepted while trying to board a flight to Abuja," the statement read.

The agency said Sodiq admitted she did not possess the required documentation when questioned.

"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, July 8, for the continuation of the investigation," the DSS added.

The security agency said the investigation is part of a broader enforcement of the National Security Adviser's regulations governing the use of Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS).

It explained that the regulations empower the DSS to impound drones and sanction individuals or organisations operating unmanned aerial vehicles anywhere in the country without the necessary approvals.

According to the agency, the enforcement is aimed at addressing increasing domestic and global security concerns, including threats to public safety and privacy arising from the unauthorised use of drones.

Reacting to the development, Sowore condemned the arrest, describing it as an attack on press freedom.

In a post on X, the former presidential candidate alleged that Sodiq was detained simply for carrying out her duties as a journalist.

"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," Sowore wrote.