Nigeria’s secret police, the Department of State Services (DSS), has confirmed the detention of a woman intercepted at Lagos airport for carrying a drone without security clearance.
Zainab Sodiq was stopped by aviation security and state operatives at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos on Monday, July 6, 2026.
Security officials found an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV)—commonly known as a drone—in her possession as she prepared to board a flight to the capital, Abuja. Under strict regulations managed by the National Security Adviser (NSA), individuals must hold an ‘End User Certificate’ to acquire or transport drones within the country.
According to a statement released on Thursday by DSS spokesperson Favour Dozie, Ms. Sodiq admitted during initial questioning that she did not possess the required legal documentation.
In an unusual move, authorities allowed her to board her scheduled flight to Abuja due to a prior commitment, on the strict condition that she report to the DSS national headquarters on Wednesday, July 8, to face further questioning. She was subsequently detained upon reporting.
The DSS stated that the investigation is part of a broader crackdown on the unauthorized operation of Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS). The agency cited mounting domestic and global security anxieties, specifically pointing to privacy violations and public safety risks.
The secret police maintained that the interception and ongoing investigation have strictly followed due process and the rule of law.
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