The Department of State Services has denied reports that it arrested Prof. Okey Ndibe at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on June 1, 2026.
According to the agency, the encounter with the writer and academic was part of an ongoing review of outdated names on its watchlist database.
Deputy Director, Public Relations and Strategic Communications, Favour Dozie, said in a statement on Tuesday said claims of Ndibe’s arrest were inaccurate and did not reflect what happened at the airport.
“The Department of State Services (DSS) hereby clarifies that, it did not arrest or detain Prof Okey Ndibe at Murtala Muhammed International Airport on June 1, 2026 or any other place on that date for that matter,” the statement said.
The agency explained that the current Director-General of the DSS had, upon assuming office, ordered a comprehensive review of old Watch-List Actions (WLAs), some of which date back to the military era, in order to prevent Nigerians from being unnecessarily inconvenienced or embarrassed by outdated security records.
According to the Service, individuals who were previously placed on its watchlist are routinely invited for interactions whenever they pass through designated points, as part of procedures leading to a possible downgrade and eventual removal of their names from the watchlist.
“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,” the DSS stated.
It further explained that the process involves verifying whether the activities, travel history and current engagements of affected persons still justify the reasons for their initial placement on the watchlist.
“This, being a precursor to a final delisting in accordance with international best practices,” the statement noted, adding that the review is designed to ensure that “activities, 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 Service disclosed that Prof. Ndibe had been on its watchlist since January 29, 2013, but that his case had since been reviewed and downgraded.
“In the same vein, Prof Ndibe has been on Watchlist since January 29, 2013. Meanwhile, his case has been reviewed and downgraded. Thus, the interface with him at the airport, was geared towards the final delisting of his details from the Action,” the DSS said.
According to the agency, the interaction lasted less than an hour, after which the academic was cleared and escorted.
“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 added.
The DSS also pointed to Ndibe’s own account of the encounter, noting that he acknowledged the professionalism of the operatives involved.
“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 said.
The Service said the ongoing review exercise has benefited many Nigerians, including journalists, whose names had remained on watchlists for years.
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.
“A case in point is that of Mr Lanre Arogundade, Executive Director of the International Press Centre, IPC, whose delisting was approved in May 2025, after over a decade on the Watchlist,” the DSS stated.
Reaffirming its commitment to the rule of law and fairness, the agency said the review process would continue to ensure that all Nigerians are treated justly and in accordance with legal provisions.
“The Service reiterates that this process will continue to ensure that all Nigerians are fairly treated, with due regard to the provisions of the Law,” it said.
The DSS also encouraged citizens 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 efforts to clean up and update the watchlist database would continue regardless of whether affected individuals make formal requests.
“The DSS therefore urges citizens affected by the Service WLA, who wish, to formally report same to the National Headquarters to facilitate ongoing process. However, regardless of any formal request, the attempt at hygiene regarding the WLA, will be sustained,” the statement added.
