Lawrence Zongo
The Take It Back Movement has called for the immediate release of journalist Zainab Sodiq after reports emerged that operatives of the Department of State Services detained her in Abuja.
In a press statement signed by its National Coordinator, Juwon Sanyaolu, the group said Sodiq was arrested while performing her duties as a journalist covering public activities involving activist and African Action Congress presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore.
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The group described the reported detention as a violation of press freedom and asked the DSS to disclose the legal basis for holding her. It also called on media organisations, civil society groups and human rights defenders to demand accountability from the agency.
“The Take It Back Movement demands the immediate and unconditional release of Zainab Sodiq,” the statement said. “We also demand that the DSS publicly disclose the legal basis for her arrest and desist from using state power to intimidate journalists and citizens exercising their lawful rights.”
Naija News reported on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, that Sodiq had covered activities involving Sowore and that a drone she used during coverage at the domestic airport in Lagos had earlier been seized. The report, citing SaharaReporters, said she was later contacted and asked to travel to Abuja to retrieve the equipment from a DSS officer identified only as Musa.
According to the report, Sodiq became unreachable after arriving in Abuja. Her last known location was traced to the Yakubu Gowon Crescent area of the Federal Capital Territory. The report also said associates who tried to reach the DSS officer were initially told she would “soon be done” and released, before the officer later stopped taking calls.
As of the time the report was published, the DSS had not publicly explained the circumstances surrounding Sodiq’s reported detention or stated whether she had been accused of any offence.
The Take It Back Movement said Sodiq’s reported arrest raised questions about the treatment of journalists who document public events and political activities. The group argued that reporting on public figures does not amount to an offence and that security agencies should not interfere with lawful journalistic work.
“Journalism is not a crime,” the group said. “Reporting the activities of public figures is not an offence.”
The statement also linked the matter to wider concerns about the relationship between security agencies, journalists and activists in Nigeria. It accused the DSS of using detention and intimidation against people who criticise government actions or cover politically sensitive events.
The group further said the detention of journalists affects the public’s access to information. It argued that when reporters face arrest or intimidation for covering events, citizens lose access to independent accounts of public affairs.
The Nigerian Constitution provides for freedom of expression and the press. Section 39 states that every person is entitled to freedom of expression, including the freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart ideas and information without interference.
Sodiq’s reported detention comes amid ongoing legal action involving Sowore. SaharaNews reported that the DSS is currently prosecuting Sowore over social media posts in which he described President Bola Tinubu as “a criminal.”
The Take It Back Movement said it would continue to use lawful means to oppose attempts to criminalise journalism and suppress dissent. It urged professional media bodies and civil society organisations to respond to the matter and press for Sodiq’s release.
The DSS had not issued a public statement on the allegation at the time of the available reports.
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