By The Metro 
Human rights activist and African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has dismissed the Department of State Services’ explanation for the detention of journalist Zainab Sodiq, alleging that she was targeted because of her role in the perfection of his bail and not because she was carrying a drone.
Sowore made the allegation in a post on X on Thursday, shortly after the DSS said Sodiq was being investigated for travelling with an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle without the required End User Certificate.
He insisted, contrary to the DSS’s explanation, that Sodiq was neither arrested nor detained because of any drone.
Sowore also claimed that the security agency had been after the journalist for some time because of her association with him.
“I had publicly disclosed this concern months ago. The DJI Mavic Air drone in question belongs personally to me,” Sowore wrote.
According to him, the drone belonged to him and had been used for media coverage of elections and other public events.
He said he personally informed DSS operatives at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport that the drone was his and instructed Sodiq to leave it behind and continue her journey to Abuja.
Sowore further claimed that Sodiq was travelling with his international passport, which was required to fulfil bail conditions imposed by Justice M.G. Umar, alleging that the real objective of the security agency was to prevent the passport from reaching Abuja and frustrate the perfection of his bail.
He also alleged that Sodiq voluntarily reported to the DSS office after being invited but was immediately taken into custody without being allowed to settle the fare for the Bolt ride that conveyed her there.
According to Sowore, his lawyers later contacted the Director-General of the DSS, Tosin Ajayi, who allegedly described Sodiq’s detention as a “routine screening” related to the drone.
He, however, claimed the agency later changed its position after he publicised Sodiq’s detention on social media.
Sowore accused the DSS of using state institutions to harass journalists, activists and government critics, alleging that the detention formed part of a broader pattern of repression.
He also levelled several allegations against the leadership of the agency, including claims of abuse of power and attempts to suppress dissent.
The DSS had earlier stated that Sodiq was intercepted by its operatives and personnel of the Aviation Security unit of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria at the Lagos airport on Monday while travelling to Abuja with a drone allegedly without the required authorisation.
The agency maintained that its action was in line with regulations issued by the Office of the National Security Adviser governing the acquisition and use of drones, adding that investigations into the matter were ongoing.