The Department of State Services has denied reports that it arrested or detained writer and academic Okey Ndibe at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on June 1, 2026.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by the Deputy Director of Public Relations and Strategic Communications, Favour Dozie, the Service said its interaction with Ndibe at the airport was part of a routine process to review and remove individuals from its watchlist.
“The Department of State Services hereby clarifies that it did not arrest or detain Prof Okey Ndibe at Murtala Muhammed International Airport on June 1, 2026 or any other place on that date for that matter,” the statement said.
The DSS explained that the current Director-General had, upon assuming office, ordered a review of old Watch-List Actions, some of which date back to the military era, to prevent citizens from being unnecessarily embarrassed by outdated security alerts.
According to the Service, individuals previously placed on watchlists are routinely invited for interaction as part of a review process that could lead to the downgrading or removal of their watchlist status.
“In this regard, all those who had previously been watchlisted while on transit are routinely interfaced with as a prerequisite for a review and possible downgrade of the Action. This, being a precursor to a final delisting in accordance with international best practices,” the DSS stated.
The agency said the review process allows it to determine whether the activities, travel histories and current engagements of affected individuals still align with the reasons for their initial placement on the watchlist.
The DSS disclosed that Ndibe had been on its watchlist since January 29, 2013, but that his case had since been reviewed and downgraded.
“In the same vein, Prof Ndibe has been on Watchlist since January 29, 2013. Meanwhile, his case has been reviewed and downgraded. Thus, the interface with him at the airport was geared towards the final delisting of his details from the Action,” the statement said.
It added that Ndibe was cleared after less than an hour of interaction with officials.
“As part of the routine interface involved in the process, after barely an hour of his interaction with the Service, he was cleared and escorted,” the agency stated.
The DSS also noted that Ndibe, in a Facebook post, acknowledged the conduct of its operatives during the encounter.
“Even on his Facebook post, he referenced the professional, courteous and decorous conduct of Service operatives, who continue to scale their respect for the rule of law and human rights under the new leadership,” it said.
The Service said several Nigerians, including journalists, had benefited from the ongoing review exercise. It cited the case of Mr. Lanre Arogundade, Executive Director of the International Press Centre, whose removal from the watchlist was approved in May 2025 after more than a decade.
The DSS reiterated its commitment to ensuring fair treatment of citizens in line with the law and encouraged individuals who believe they are affected by watchlist actions to formally contact its headquarters to facilitate the review process.
“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.
Reports emerged on Monday that acclaimed Nigerian author and professor, Okey Ndibe, was arrested and detained by operatives of the DSS at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, upon his arrival in Nigeria.
The reports sparked reactions from civil society groups and media stakeholders.