The Department of State Services (DSS) has dismissed reports that it arrested or detained renowned Nigerian writer and academic, Okey Ndibe, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on June 1, 2026.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by its 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 longstanding watch-list actions.
According to the DSS, the current Director-General, upon assuming office, ordered a review of old Watch-List Actions (WLAs), some of which date back to the military era, to ensure that citizens are not unnecessarily embarrassed or inconvenienced by outdated records.
The agency explained that individuals previously placed on watch lists are routinely engaged as part of a process aimed at reviewing, downgrading and ultimately removing their names from such lists where appropriate. It noted that the exercise involves assessing their activities, travel history and current engagements to determine whether the original reasons for their watch-list designation remain valid.
The DSS disclosed that Prof. Ndibe had been on its watch list since January 29, 2013, but stated that his case had already been reviewed and downgraded. It added that the airport interaction was intended to facilitate the final removal of his name from the watch list.
The Service said the engagement lasted less than an hour, after which Prof. Ndibe was cleared and escorted.
“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.
The DSS also referenced Prof. Ndibe’s social media account of the incident, noting that he acknowledged the professional and courteous conduct of the operatives involved.
The agency further revealed that several Nigerians, including journalists, have benefited from the ongoing review exercise. It cited the case of Lanre Arogundade, whose delisting from the watch list was approved in May 2025 after spending more than a decade on the list.
Reaffirming its commitment to the rule of law and respect for human rights, the DSS said the watch-list review exercise would continue to ensure fairness and compliance with legal provisions.
The Service urged citizens who believe they may still be affected by old watch-list actions to formally contact its national headquarters to facilitate the review process, while assuring that efforts to clean up outdated records would continue regardless of formal requests.
