‎DSS denies arresting Okey Ndibe, says airport interaction was part of watchlist review process

‎Abuja, June 2, 2026 — The Department of State Services (DSS) has denied reports that it arrested or detained renowned writer and academic, Prof. Okey Ndibe, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on June 1, 2026.
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‎In a statement issued on Tuesday by the Deputy Director of Public Relations and Strategic Communications, Favour Dozie, the Service said Prof. Ndibe was neither arrested nor detained, explaining that his interaction with DSS operatives was part of an ongoing review of legacy Watch-List Actions (WLAs).
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‎According to the DSS, the current Director-General, upon assuming office, directed a comprehensive review of old watchlist records, some dating back to the military era, to ensure that citizens are not subjected to unnecessary embarrassment due to outdated security listings.
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‎The agency explained that individuals previously placed on watchlists are routinely invited for interactions as part of a process aimed at reviewing, downgrading, and ultimately removing their names from such lists where appropriate.
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‎“The process is intended to ensure that before final delisting, the activities, travel histories and current engagements of affected individuals no longer align with the reasons for their original placement on the watchlist,” the statement said.
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‎The DSS noted that numerous Nigerians, including journalists, have benefited from the review exercise. It cited the case of Mr. Lanre Arogundade, Executive Director of the International Press Centre (IPC), whose removal from the watchlist was approved in May 2025 after more than a decade.
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‎The Service disclosed that Prof. Ndibe had been on its watchlist since January 29, 2013, but that his case had since been reviewed and downgraded. It said the airport interaction was conducted to facilitate the final removal of his details from the watchlist database.
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‎According to the statement, the engagement lasted less than an hour, after which Prof. Ndibe was cleared and escorted.
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‎The DSS also referenced a social media post by the academic in which he reportedly acknowledged the professionalism, courtesy and decorous conduct of the operatives who attended to him.
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‎“The Service reiterates that this process will continue to ensure that all Nigerians are fairly treated, with due regard to the provisions of the law,” the statement added.
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‎The agency further encouraged citizens who believe they may still be affected by old watchlist actions to formally notify its National Headquarters to assist ongoing review efforts.
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‎It, however, stressed that the watchlist cleanup exercise would continue regardless of whether affected individuals submit formal requests.
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‎The clarification comes amid public discussions following reports of Prof. Ndibe’s encounter with security officials at the Lagos airport.
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