Human rights activist and AAC presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore has alleged that the Department of State Services (DSS) arrested journalist Zainab Sodiq, who regularly covers his daily activities, and is detaining her at the agency’s headquarters in Abuja.
Sowore made the allegation in a series of posts on his social media accounts, describing Sodiq’s reported arrest as an attack on press freedom and accusing the security agency of targeting a journalist for carrying out her professional duties.
According to him, Sodiq’s only “offence” was reporting on his activities as a journalist.
“Her only crime is doing her job as a journalist,” Sowore wrote, alleging that the DSS arrested and detained her without lawful justification.
The activist further claimed that human rights lawyer Marshal D. F. Abubakar visited the DSS headquarters in Abuja in an attempt to secure Sodiq’s release.
According to Sowore, the lawyer was allegedly informed that the Director-General of the DSS, Tosin Ajayi, was displeased that news of the journalist’s detention had been made public and, as a result, she would no longer be released.
Sowore described the alleged development as an abuse of power, accusing the security agency of using intimidation to silence journalists and critics of the government.
He also alleged that Sodiq was being subjected to unlawful detention and called for her immediate and unconditional release.
“No amount of blackmail, intimidation or hostage-taking will silence us,” Sowore stated while urging Nigerians and the international community to support the campaign for her freedom using the hashtag #FreeZainabNOW.
The allegations have since sparked reactions on social media, with journalists, civil society organisations and human rights advocates expressing concern over the reported arrest and calling for clarification from the DSS.
However, Shemariah Media has not independently verified the claims made by Sowore. As of the time of filing this report, the Department of State Services had not issued an official statement confirming or denying Zainab Sodiq’s reported arrest or detention.
Similarly, there has been no official response from the office of the DSS Director-General, Tosin Ajayi, regarding the allegations contained in Sowore’s statement.
The incident has renewed concerns among media stakeholders over press freedom and the safety of journalists covering politically sensitive issues in Nigeria.
Shemariah Media will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as more information becomes available from the relevant authorities or Sodiq’s legal representatives.
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