The Department of State Services (DSS) has denied reports that it arrested or detained renowned Nigerian author and academic, Okey Ndibe, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on June 1, 2026, saying the encounter was part of an ongoing review of long-standing watchlist records.
In a statement signed by Favour Dozie, Deputy Director of Public Relations and Strategic Communications, the DSS said Ndibe was neither arrested nor detained, contrary to reports circulating in some sections of the media and social media.
The agency explained that the current Director-General had ordered a comprehensive review of old Watch-List Actions (WLAs), including some dating back to the military era, to prevent citizens from being unnecessarily inconvenienced by outdated security classifications.
According to the DSS, individuals whose names remain on watchlists are routinely engaged during transit as part of a process aimed at reviewing, downgrading and ultimately removing such records where appropriate.
The Service said the exercise involves assessing whether the activities, travel histories and current engagements of affected individuals still correspond with the reasons for their original watchlisting.
The DSS noted that several Nigerians, including journalists, have benefited from the review process. It cited the case of 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 agency disclosed that Ndibe had been on its watchlist since January 29, 2013, but said his case had already been reviewed and downgraded.
It explained that the interaction with him at the airport was intended to facilitate the final removal of his details from the watchlist and lasted less than one hour.
“After barely an hour of his interaction with the Service, he was cleared and escorted,” the statement said.
The DSS further noted that Ndibe himself acknowledged the professional and courteous conduct of its operatives in his account of the encounter.
Reaffirming its commitment to the rule of law and the protection of citizens’ rights, the Service said the review of old watchlist records would continue to ensure fairness and compliance with international best practices.
It also encouraged Nigerians who believe they may still be affected by old 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 formal complaints are received.*DSS Reviews Military-Era Watchlists, Clarifies Ndibe Incident*
The Department of State Services (DSS) has denied reports that it arrested or detained renowned Nigerian author and academic, Okey Ndibe, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on June 1, 2026, saying the encounter was part of an ongoing review of long-standing watchlist records.
In a statement signed by Favour Dozie, Deputy Director of Public Relations and Strategic Communications, the DSS said Ndibe was neither arrested nor detained, contrary to reports circulating in some sections of the media and social media.
The agency explained that the current Director-General had ordered a comprehensive review of old Watch-List Actions (WLAs), including some dating back to the military era, to prevent citizens from being unnecessarily inconvenienced by outdated security classifications.
According to the DSS, individuals whose names remain on watchlists are routinely engaged during transit as part of a process aimed at reviewing, downgrading and ultimately removing such records where appropriate.
The Service said the exercise involves assessing whether the activities, travel histories and current engagements of affected individuals still correspond with the reasons for their original watchlisting.
The DSS noted that several Nigerians, including journalists, have benefited from the review process. It cited the case of 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 agency disclosed that Ndibe had been on its watchlist since January 29, 2013, but said his case had already been reviewed and downgraded.
It explained that the interaction with him at the airport was intended to facilitate the final removal of his details from the watchlist and lasted less than one hour.
“After barely an hour of his interaction with the Service, he was cleared and escorted,” the statement said.
The DSS further noted that Ndibe himself acknowledged the professional and courteous conduct of its operatives in his account of the encounter.
Reaffirming its commitment to the rule of law and the protection of citizens’ rights, the Service said the review of old watchlist records would continue to ensure fairness and compliance with international best practices.
It also encouraged Nigerians who believe they may still be affected by old 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 formal complaints are received.
