Human rights activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore has alleged that the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Tosin Ajayi, ordered the continued detention of journalist Zainab Sodiq because news of her arrest was made public. The allegation comes amid growing concerns over press freedom and the treatment of journalists in Nigeria.
According to Sowore, human rights lawyer Marshal D. F. Abubakar visited the DSS headquarters in Abuja in an effort to secure Sodiq’s release but was allegedly informed that the DSS leadership was displeased that the arrest had attracted public attention. Sowore claimed this was the reason the journalist remained in custody.
Sodiq, who has covered Sowore’s political and human rights activities, was reportedly invited to Abuja by a DSS officer to retrieve a drone that had earlier been confiscated while she was carrying out her journalistic duties. However, after arriving in the Federal Capital Territory, she reportedly became unreachable and was later confirmed to be in DSS custody.
As of the time of the report, the DSS had not issued an official statement explaining the circumstances of Sodiq’s detention, whether she had been charged with any offence, or responding to Sowore’s allegations. The claims remain allegations by Sowore and have not been independently confirmed by the DSS.
The incident has renewed debate over press freedom, the safety of journalists, and the protection of fundamental human rights in Nigeria, with civil society groups calling for transparency and due process in cases involving media practitioners.
