Amnesty International Nigeria has called on the Department of State Services (DSS) to immediately and unconditionally release journalist Zainab Sodiq, describing her continued detention as a violation of her fundamental rights and a threat to press freedom in the country.
The human rights organisation made the demand in a statement posted on its official X account on Thursday, expressing concern over the circumstances surrounding Sodiq’s arrest and detention.
According to reports, the journalist was arrested by operatives of the DSS at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos on July 6 after she was allegedly found with a DJI Mavic Air drone without an End User Certificate.
Although the security agency has not publicly released detailed information about the case, Amnesty International argued that the circumstances suggested Sodiq may have been targeted because of her work as a journalist.
The organisation questioned the reason given for her detention, saying it appeared to be a pretext aimed at preventing her from carrying out her professional responsibilities.
Amnesty maintained that restrictions relating to drone ownership or operation should not be used to obstruct legitimate journalistic work or silence members of the media.
It stressed that journalists should be allowed to perform their duties without fear of arrest, intimidation or harassment, provided they operate within the law.
“The arrest and detention of Zainab Sodiq come amid an alarming pattern of shrinking civic space in Nigeria, where journalists, activists, and human rights defenders increasingly face arbitrary arrest, intimidation, harassment and prosecution and other reprisals for peacefully exercising their human rights,” the organisation said.
The group stated that Sodiq’s continued detention raises serious concerns about respect for the rule of law, due process and the protection of fundamental human rights in Nigeria.
It called on the authorities to release her without delay and ensure that she is able to continue her work as a journalist without intimidation or reprisals.
Amnesty also urged the Nigerian government to respect constitutional guarantees relating to freedom of expression and media freedom.
According to the organisation, any limitation placed on freedom of expression must comply with both the Nigerian Constitution and international human rights treaties to which Nigeria is a signatory.
It argued that arbitrary detention or the misuse of laws regulating journalism undermines democratic principles and weakens public confidence in the country’s commitment to human rights.
The organisation expressed concern over what it described as an increasing pattern of shrinking civic space across Nigeria.
It said journalists, civil society groups and human rights defenders have in recent years faced growing pressure through arrests, intimidation, harassment and prosecution while carrying out peaceful and lawful activities.
According to Amnesty, several journalists have been prosecuted under laws relating to criminal defamation, terrorism-related offences and cyberstalking.
Others, it noted, have faced charges under the Cybercrimes Act, raising concerns among media rights advocates about the impact of such prosecutions on freedom of the press.
The organisation maintained that these developments are inconsistent with Nigeria’s obligations under both domestic and international law to protect individual liberty, freedom of expression and access to information.
Amnesty further called for an independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding Sodiq’s arrest and detention.
It said authorities should examine whether due process was followed and hold accountable anyone found to have violated her rights.
“Authorities must promptly, thoroughly, independently, impartially, transparently and effectively investigate the circumstances surrounding her arrest and detention, including the due process violations she faced since her arrest, and bring to justice anyone suspected to be responsible,” the organisation said.
It also urged security agencies to stop using arbitrary arrests, prolonged detention and what it described as abusive criminal laws to intimidate journalists.
According to Amnesty, media professionals should be able to carry out their work freely, safely and without fear of reprisals.
The organisation added: “Authorities must also end the use of arbitrary arrest, detention and abusive criminal laws to intimidate journalists and ensure that media professionals can carry out their work freely, safely and without fear of reprisals.”
The arrest has drawn attention to the growing debate over the use of drones by journalists in Nigeria.
Drone technology has become an important tool for media organisations, allowing reporters to capture aerial images and videos for news coverage, documentaries and investigative reporting.
However, the use of drones in Nigeria is regulated by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), while certain categories of drones and related equipment may require additional security clearances, including End User Certificates, depending on their classification and intended use.
Authorities have often maintained that such regulations are necessary for national security and public safety.
At the same time, media organisations and press freedom advocates argue that enforcement of these rules should not become a means of restricting legitimate journalism or preventing reporters from carrying out their professional duties.
Nigeria has repeatedly faced criticism from local and international media rights organisations over the treatment of journalists.
Groups such as Amnesty International, the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), the International Press Institute (IPI) and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) have on several occasions raised concerns over arrests, harassment and legal actions against media practitioners.
Press freedom advocates say an independent media is essential for promoting accountability, transparency and democratic governance.
They argue that journalists should be protected while performing their constitutional duty of informing the public on matters of national interest.
As of Thursday, the DSS had not publicly responded to Amnesty International’s statement or announced whether Sodiq would be released.
The organisation, however, insisted that the journalist should be freed immediately unless authorities can present lawful grounds for her continued detention before a competent court.