‘He’s been on our watchlist since 2013’- DSS on Okey Ndibe Airport drama

The Department of State Services, DSS, has denied reports that writer and academic, Prof Okey Ndibe, was arrested or detained at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.

The Service said Ndibe was only engaged as part of a routine review of old watchlist actions.

In a statement on Tuesday, Favour Dozie, Deputy Director of Public Relations and Strategic Communications of the DSS, said the writer was neither arrested nor detained on June 1, 2026.

“The Department of State Services 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 DSS explained that its current Director-General had ordered a review of old watchlist actions, some of which date back to the military era.

According to the agency, the review is meant to prevent Nigerians from being embarrassed by outdated security alerts.

The Service said persons previously placed on watchlists are sometimes invited for interaction while in transit as part of the process of reviewing, downgrading or removing their names from such lists.

“In this regard, all those who had previously been watchlisted while on transit are routinely interfaced with as a prerequisite for a review and possible downgrade of the Action. This, being a precursor to a final delisting in accordance with international best practices,” the DSS stated.

The agency disclosed that Ndibe had been on its watchlist since January 29, 2013.

It said his case had already been reviewed and downgraded before the airport encounter.

“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 statement added.

The DSS said Ndibe was cleared after less than one hour of interaction with its officials.

“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,” it said.

The Service also noted that Ndibe, in a Facebook post, acknowledged the professional conduct of its operatives during the encounter.

The DSS said its officers remained committed to the rule of law and respect for human rights under the current leadership.

It added that several Nigerians, including journalists, had benefited from the ongoing watchlist review.

The agency 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 DSS urged Nigerians who believe they are affected by watchlist actions to formally contact its headquarters for review.

“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,” the statement added.

Reports had emerged on Monday that Ndibe was arrested and detained by DSS operatives at the Lagos airport upon his arrival in Nigeria.