The Department of State Services (DSS) has confirmed the detention of a journalist, Zainab Sodiq, over alleged possession of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) without the required authorization.
This was contained in a statement by the Deputy Director of Public Relations and Strategic Communications of the DSS, Favour Dozie, on Thursday.
According to the statement, Sodiq was intercepted by officials of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) Aviation Security and DSS operatives at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, on July 6 while attempting to travel to Abuja with a drone without an End User Certificate (EUC).
The DSS said the interception was in line with extant regulations issued by the Office of the National Security Adviser which place restrictions on the acquisition and operation of drones in Nigeria.
The Service explained that although Sodiq was allowed to board her scheduled flight to Abuja because of a prior engagement, she was directed to report to its National Headquarters on Wednesday, July 8, for the continuation of investigations.
The DSS said investigations have commenced in accordance with existing regulations empowering the Service to impound and sanction individuals or corporate organizations operating Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS), commonly known as drones, without the necessary authorization.