The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has demanded the immediate release of journalist Zainab Sodiq, following confirmation by the Department of State Services (DSS) that she is being held over a drone-related investigation.
SERAP, in a post on its official X handle on Thursday, July 9, 2026, simply stated: “NIGERIA: immediately release Journalist Zainab Sodiq.”
The call followed concerns over Sodiq’s detention after a drone she used while covering the activities of African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, was seized by DSS operatives in Lagos.
Sodiq was reportedly contacted by the agency over the equipment and later travelled to Abuja, where concerns were raised after she became unreachable.
Sowore subsequently demanded her release, alleging that the journalist’s detention was an attempt to intimidate the media and restrict press freedom.
Responding, the DSS said Sodiq’s detention was not connected to her journalistic work but to an investigation into the drone, including issues surrounding its documentation and authorization.
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The agency said the matter was being handled in line with existing regulations governing drone operations.
Sowore rejected the DSS explanation, maintaining that the drone issue was being used to justify the journalist’s continued detention.
SERAP’s intervention has added to growing calls for transparency over Sodiq’s detention and renewed concerns about the protection of journalists covering public and political events.
As of press time, the DSS had not announced her release or disclosed whether she had been formally charged.