Dare Babalola
The Department of State Services (DSS) has denied reports that it arrested or detained renowned writer and academic, Okey Ndibe, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport on June 1, 2026.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by the Deputy Director of Public Relations and Strategic Communications, Favour Dozie, the DSS said Ndibe was neither arrested nor detained, describing his encounter with operatives at the airport as part of an ongoing review of longstanding watchlist records.
According to the agency, the current Director-General of the DSS had, upon assuming office, ordered a comprehensive review of old Watch-List Actions (WLAs), some of which date back to the military era, to prevent citizens from being unnecessarily inconvenienced by outdated security records.
The Service explained that individuals whose names remain on the watchlist are routinely engaged during transit as part of a verification process aimed at determining whether their records should be downgraded or completely removed.
“The process is designed to ensure that before a final delisting is carried out, the activities, travel histories and current engagements of affected individuals no longer align with the reasons that led to their initial placement on the watchlist,” the statement said.
The DSS disclosed that Ndibe had been on its watchlist since January 29, 2013, but noted that his case had already been reviewed and downgraded. It said the airport interaction was intended to facilitate the final removal of his details from the watchlist.
The agency stated that after an interaction lasting less than an hour, Ndibe was cleared and escorted, adding that the author himself acknowledged the professional conduct of the operatives involved.
The Service also highlighted similar cases, citing the delisting of Lanre Arogundade, Executive Director of the International Press Centre, whose name was removed from the watchlist in May 2025 after more than a decade.
Reaffirming its commitment to the rule of law and respect for human rights, the DSS said the review of watchlist records would continue to ensure fairness and prevent undue embarrassment of citizens.
The agency further urged Nigerians who believe they may be affected by existing watchlist actions to formally contact its national headquarters to facilitate the review process, while assuring that the ongoing clean-up exercise would continue regardless of whether such requests are made.
Recall that activist Omoyele Sowore, on Monday, claimed that Ndibe was arrested by DAS officials but was later released after the outcry that followed.
