The Department of State Services (DSS) has denied reports that it arrested or detained renowned author and academic, Okey Ndibe, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport on June 1, 2026, describing the claims as inaccurate.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by the Deputy Director of Public Relations and Strategic Communications, Favour Dozie, the DSS said Ndibe’s interaction with its operatives at the airport was part of an ongoing review of old Watch-List Actions (WLAs) inherited from previous administrations, some of which date back to the military era.
According to the Service, the current Director-General had, upon assuming office, ordered a comprehensive review of existing watchlists to prevent Nigerians from being unnecessarily inconvenienced or embarrassed by outdated security records.
The DSS explained that individuals who were previously placed on watchlists are routinely invited for interviews and assessments as part of a process aimed at reviewing, downgrading and eventually removing their names from the list where appropriate.
The agency noted that the exercise involves verifying the activities, travel history and current engagements of affected persons to determine whether the reasons for their initial watchlisting remain valid.
The Service disclosed that Ndibe had been on its watchlist since January 29, 2013, but said his case had already been reviewed and downgraded before his recent encounter with officials.
It stated that the airport meeting was intended to facilitate the final stage of his delisting from the watchlist.
“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 statement said.
The DSS further pointed out that Ndibe himself acknowledged the professionalism and courtesy of its operatives in a Facebook post following the incident.
The agency cited the case of Lanre Arogundade, Executive Director of the International Press Centre, whose name was removed from the watchlist in May 2025 after more than a decade, as an example of the ongoing review process.
The DSS maintained that the exercise is part of efforts to ensure fairness, respect for the rule of law and protection of citizens’ rights.
It urged Nigerians who believe they may still be affected by existing watch-list actions to formally contact its national headquarters to facilitate review and possible delisting.
The Service added that it would continue the exercise regardless of whether formal requests are submitted, stressing its commitment to sanitising and updating the watchlist system.
