Amnesty demands immediate release of detained journalist Zainab Sodiq

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 rights and press freedom.

Reports say Sodiq was arrested by DSS operatives at the Lagos airport on July 6 after she was allegedly found with a DJI Mavic Air drone without an End User Certificate.

In a statement on X on Thursday, Amnesty argued that the circumstances surrounding her arrest indicated that she may have been targeted because of her work as a journalist, adding that the reason given for her detention appeared to be a pretext to prevent her from carrying out her professional duties.

The organisation said the continued detention of the journalist raised concerns about respect for human rights and the rule of law, urging authorities not to use regulations on drone ownership or operation to obstruct legitimate journalism.

“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,” it added.

It maintained that any restriction on freedom of expression must comply with the Nigerian Constitution, as well as international human rights treaties to which Nigeria is a signatory.

Amnesty also expressed concern over what it described as a growing pattern of shrinking civic space in Nigeria, saying journalists, activists and human rights defenders increasingly face arbitrary arrests, intimidation, harassment and prosecution.

The group noted that some journalists had been charged with offences such as criminal defamation, terrorism-related crimes and cyberstalking, while others had faced prosecution under the Cybercrimes Act.

It said such actions were inconsistent with Nigeria’s obligations to protect the rights to liberty, freedom of expression, media freedom and due process.

Amnesty called on the Nigerian authorities to release Sodiq without delay and ensure that she is able to carry out her work without intimidation or reprisals.

The organisation said, “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.”

It 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.”

Amnesty demands immediate release of detained journalist Zainab Sodiq