The Department of State Services (DSS) has arrested a journalist known for covering activist Omoyele Sowore, with the agency citing possession of a drone without the required certificate as the basis for the arrest.
Colleagues and press freedom advocates have questioned the timing and justification for the arrest, noting the journalist’s history of reporting on Sowore’s activism and raising concerns about press freedom implications of the detention.
The DSS has not released a detailed public statement explaining the specific circumstances that led to the arrest, though the stated basis relates to regulatory requirements around drone ownership and usage rather than any direct allegation tied to the journalist’s reporting work.
Related News
Nigeria’s regulatory framework for drone use requires operators to obtain certification from the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, with unauthorised possession or use of drones carrying potential legal consequences under existing aviation and security regulations.
Press advocacy groups have in recent years repeatedly raised concerns over the use of regulatory infractions to justify the detention of journalists covering sensitive political or activist beats in Nigeria.
The DSS has previously stated its operations are conducted strictly within the confines of the law, and the agency is expected to provide further clarification on the journalist’s case as investigations continue.
