Okey Ndibe Speaks After Airport Interception; DSS Rejects Detention Claims

The Department of State Services (DSS) has denied reports that it arrested or detained renowned US based Nigerian author and columnist, Professor Okey Ndibe, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, insisting that its interaction with the writer was part of an ongoing review of legacy security watchlists.

The clarification came hours after Ndibe confirmed that he had been released following what he described as a more than three-hour detention by DSS operatives upon his arrival in Nigeria from the United States.

 In a post on his Facebook page, Ndibe expressed gratitude to friends, colleagues and well-wishers who reached out after news of the incident became public.

"I am so grateful for the expressions of concern by many friends, acquaintances and others over my detention earlier today by the DSS at Murtala Muhammed International Airport," he wrote.

"The two agents who interacted with me were quite courteous throughout the three-plus hours of my detention. I'd like to confirm that I've been released."

The author said he received numerous calls and messages from supporters across different parts of the world and assured them that he remained in good health and high spirits.

However, in a statement issued on Tuesday by its Deputy Director of Public Relations and Strategic Communications, Favour Dozie, the DSS disputed claims that Ndibe was arrested or detained. 

According to the agency, the interaction formed part of a broader review of old Watch-List Actions (WLAs) some of which date back to the military era.

The DSS explained that the current Director-General had directed a comprehensive review of existing watchlists to prevent citizens from suffering undue embarrassment as a result of outdated security records.

The agency stated that individuals previously placed on security watchlists are routinely invited for interviews as part of a process that could lead to the downgrading and eventual removal of their names from the list.

 According to the DSS, the procedure is intended to assess whether the circumstances that led to an individual's original inclusion on a watchlist remain valid.

The agency disclosed that Ndibe had been on its watchlist since January 29, 2013 but said his case had already undergone review and had been downgraded.

It maintained that the airport interaction was aimed at completing the final stage of his removal from the watchlist. 

"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 read.

The DSS further claimed that the interaction lasted less than an hour, after which Ndibe was cleared and escorted out.

The agency also pointed to Ndibe's own comments regarding the professionalism and courtesy of the officers involved as evidence of what it described as improved operational standards under its current leadership.

The DSS noted that several Nigerians, including journalists and civil society figures, had benefited from the watchlist review exercise. It cited the case of Lanre Arogundade, Executive Director of the International Press Centre whose name was reportedly removed from the watchlist in 2025 after more than a decade.

Reaffirming its commitment to the rule of law and respect for human rights, the security agency said it would continue reviewing existing watchlists and encouraged affected citizens to formally contact its headquarters if they wished to facilitate the process.

While Ndibe described the airport encounter as a detention lasting more than three hours, the DSS insists it was a routine administrative interaction linked to the final review of a long-standing watchlist entry, underscoring differing accounts of the incident that has generated significant public attention.