DSS denies arresting writer Okey Ndibe

The Department of State Services (DSS) has denied claims that it arrested or detained writer and academic Okey Ndibe at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos on 1 June 2026.

In a statement released on Tuesday by its Deputy Director of Public Relations and Strategic Communications, Favour Dozie, the Service said that its interaction with Ndibe was part of a routine process to review and remove individuals from its watchlist.

According to the DSS, Ndibe was not arrested at the airport; instead, he was engaged as part of an ongoing review of watchlist actions that the current director‑general initiated upon taking office.

The statement reads: “The current DG of the service, upon assumption of duty, directed a review of old Watch‑List Actions (WLAs), some of which date back to the military era. This is to ensure that citizens are not unduly embarrassed due to pre‑existing WLAs.”

“In this regard, all those who had previously been watchlisted while in transit are routinely interfaced with as a prerequisite for a review and possible downgrade of the action. This is a precursor to a final delisting in accordance with international best practices. It is pertinent to state that the foregoing process is aimed at ensuring that before the final delisting, the activities and travel histories as well as current activities of these individuals are not in furtherance of and do not still conform with the reasons for the initial WLA.”

The DSS disclosed that Ndibe had been on its watchlist since 29 January 2013, but that his case had since been reviewed and downgraded.

It added that the interaction at the airport was intended to facilitate the final removal of his name from the watchlist and that he was cleared and escorted after less than an hour.

In the same vein, Prof. Ndibe has been on a watchlist since 29 January 2013. His case has been reviewed and downgraded, and the interface with him at the airport was geared toward the final delisting of his details from the action.

“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. Note that, 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.”

The agency reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring fair treatment of citizens and encouraged individuals who believe they may be affected by watchlist actions to formally contact its headquarters for review.

Reports had emerged on Monday that Ndibe was arrested and detained by DSS operatives upon his arrival at the Lagos airport, prompting reactions from civil society organisations and media stakeholders.

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