DSS Reportedly Detain Female Journalist

The Department of State Services (DSS) has reportedly detained a female journalist, Zainab Sodiq, who has covered activities involving human rights activist and African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore.

SaharaReporters reported that the DSS had earlier seized a drone used by Sodiq while covering Sowore at the domestic airport in Lagos.

She was allegedly contacted afterwards and asked to travel to Abuja to retrieve the seized equipment from a DSS officer identified only as Musa.

According to the report, Sodiq became unreachable after arriving in Abuja to collect the drone.

Her last known location was reportedly traced to the Yakubu Gowon Crescent area of the Federal Capital Territory.

Concerned associates were said to have repeatedly contacted the DSS officer who allegedly invited her to Abuja.

The officer initially reportedly told callers that Sodiq would “soon be done” and released, but later stopped answering calls and allegedly blocked some of the numbers used to reach him.

As of the time of filing this report, the DSS had not publicly explained the circumstances surrounding Sodiq’s reported detention or disclosed whether she was accused of any offence.

The DSS is currently prosecuting Sowore over social media posts in which he described President Bola Tinubu as “a criminal.”