By Palang Paul
Amnesty International has demanded the immediate and unconditional release of journalist Zainab Sodiq, describing her continued detention by the DSS as an abuse of power.
In a statement issued on Thursday, July 9, 2026, the rights organisation said Sodiq was arrested by officials of the Department of State Services at the Lagos airport on July 6.
According to Amnesty International, the journalist was reportedly arrested after she was alleged to have been carrying a DJI Mavic Air drone without an End User Certificate.
The organisation argued that the circumstances surrounding her arrest strongly suggest she is being targeted solely for carrying out her legitimate work as a journalist, insisting that the official reason given for her detention is merely a pretext to obstruct her professional duties.
Amnesty said the continued detention of Sodiq represents a blatant abuse of power and raises serious concerns about the DSS’ respect for human rights, media freedom and the rule of law.
It warned Nigerian authorities against using administrative or regulatory requirements governing drones to criminalise or frustrate legitimate journalism.
The organisation maintained that any restriction on freedom of expression must comply with the principles of legality, necessity and proportionality as provided under Section 39 of the 1999 Constitution, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
Amnesty further noted that Sodiq’s arrest reflects what it described as a growing pattern of shrinking civic space in Nigeria, where journalists, activists and human rights defenders increasingly face arbitrary arrest, intimidation, harassment and prosecution for peacefully exercising their rights.
It added that many journalists in the country have recently faced criminal defamation, terrorism-related charges and cyberstalking allegations, with others prosecuted under the controversial Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act.
According to the organisation, such actions are inconsistent with Nigeria’s constitutional and international obligations to protect the rights to liberty, freedom of expression, media freedom and due process.
Amnesty called on the authorities to immediately release Zainab Sodiq, guarantee her right to carry out her journalistic duties without intimidation, and conduct a prompt, independent, impartial and transparent investigation into the circumstances surrounding her arrest and detention.
The organisation also urged the government to end the use of arbitrary arrests, detention and abusive criminal laws against journalists and ensure media professionals can work freely, safely and without fear of reprisals.
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