LAGOS — The Department of State Services (DSS) has officially denied reports that renowned Nigerian author and academic, Professor Okey Ndibe, was arrested or detained at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) on June 1, 2026.
The Conflict in Accounts
The clarification follows widespread reports, initiated by a Facebook post from the author himself, stating that he had been detained by DSS operatives for over three hours upon his arrival in Nigeria.
The Author's Account: In his social media update, Professor Ndibe confirmed he was released after a period of more than three hours, noting that while the experience was unexpected, the agents involved treated him with courtesy and professionalism throughout the interaction.
The DSS Response: In a statement issued on Tuesday, June 2, by the DSS Deputy Director of Public Relations and Strategic Communications, Favour Dozie, the agency categorically rejected the term "detention." The DSS described the encounter as an "interface" linked to an ongoing audit of longstanding Watch-List Actions (WLAs).
Context of the Security Review
The DSS explained that its current leadership is conducting a comprehensive review of historical watchlists some dating back to the military era to ensure that citizens are not subjected to unnecessary inconvenience due to outdated security classifications.
Watchlist Status: The agency disclosed that Professor Ndibe had been placed on a security watchlist on January 29, 2013.
The Goal of the Interaction: The DSS stated that the interface at the airport was a necessary administrative step to finalize the delisting of his details from their records, following a prior decision to downgrade his status.
Duration: The agency maintained that the interaction lasted less than an hour, after which the author was cleared and escorted through the airport.
The DSS has encouraged other citizens who believe they may be affected by legacy watchlist records to contact its national headquarters to facilitate formal reviews and potential delisting, emphasizing a commitment to align its operations with contemporary human rights standards and the rule of law.
