DSS Denies Arresting Okey Ndibe

The Department of State Services (DSS) has denied reports that it arrested or detained Professor Okey Ndibe at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport on June 1, 2026, describing the encounter as a routine administrative process aimed at removing his name from a longstanding watchlist.

In a statement issued on Tuesday by the Deputy Director of Public Relations and Strategic Communications, Favour Dozie, the DSS said Prof. Ndibe was neither arrested nor detained at the airport or anywhere else on the said date.

According to the Service, the current Director-General 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some of which date back to the military era, to prevent citizens from suffering unnecessary embarrassment due to outdated security records.

The DSS explained that individuals previously placed on watchlists are routinely engaged during transit as part of a review process that could lead to the downgrade or complete removal of their names from the watchlist in line with international best practices.

The agency noted that the process involves assessing such individuals’ activities, travel history and current engagements to determine whether the circumstances that led to their initial listing still exist.

The Service said many Nigerians, including journalists, have benefited from the ongoing review exercise. It cited the case of Lanre Arogundade, Executive Director of the International Press Centre (IPC), whose name was removed from the watchlist in May 2025 after more than a decade.

Providing details on Prof. Ndibe’s case, the DSS disclosed that the renowned writer and academic had been on its watchlist since January 29, 2013. However, following a review, his case was downgraded, and the interaction at the airport was intended to facilitate the final stage of his delisting.

The agency stated that after an interaction lasting less than an hour, Prof. Ndibe was cleared and escorted. It further noted that in his Facebook post on the incident, he acknowledged the professionalism, courtesy and decorum displayed by DSS operatives.

Reaffirming its commitment to the rule of law and respect for human rights, the Service said the watchlist review process would continue to ensure fairness and compliance with legal provisions.

The DSS also encouraged individuals who believe they may still be affected by old Watch-List Actions to formally contact its National Headquarters to assist ongoing reviews, while assuring that the clean-up exercise would continue regardless of formal requests.