DSS Clarifies Interface with Prof. Okey Ndibe, Not Arrest
Crime/Social Justice
Ikeja, Lagos — The Department of State Services (DSS) on Tuesday issued a detailed statement denying reports that it arrested or detained renowned Nigerian-American writer and columnist Professor Okey Ndibe at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport on Monday, June 1, 2026.
In the statement signed by Deputy Director of Public Relations and Strategic Communications, Favour Dozie, the DSS described the encounter as a “routine interface” linked to an ongoing review of legacy Watch-List Actions (WLAs).
According to the DSS, Prof. Ndibe has been on the watchlist since January 29, 2013. His case has since been reviewed and downgraded under the current leadership as part of a broader exercise to update outdated records, some dating back to the military era.
The agency explained that individuals previously flagged during transit are routinely engaged as a prerequisite for possible downgrade and eventual delisting. This process checks that their current activities, travel history, and conduct no longer align with the original reasons for placement, in line with international best practices.
“After barely an hour of his interaction with the Service, he was cleared and escorted,” the statement noted, adding that Prof. Ndibe himself acknowledged the “professional, courteous and decorous conduct” of the operatives in his Facebook post.
The DSS said the current Director General directed the review of old WLAs to avoid undue embarrassment to citizens.
Several Nigerians, including journalists, have benefited from the exercise. For example, Mr. Lanre Arogundade, Executive Director of the International Press Centre, was delisted in May 2025 after more than a decade on the list.
The agency urged affected individuals to formally report to its National Headquarters for expedited processing, while affirming that proactive “hygiene” of the watchlist will continue regardless.
Prof. Ndibe, a prominent critic of governance issues in Nigeria and author of novels such as Foreign Gods, Inc. and Arrows of Rain, has faced similar airport encounters in the past (notably in 2011 and 2017), which rights groups and media linked to his outspoken writings.
Initial reports on Monday triggered swift condemnation from civil society organisations, as groups like the Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC) and SERAP described the incident as harassment and called for greater transparency in watchlist management and respect for citizens’ rights.
The DSS statement appears aimed at correcting the narrative and highlighting reforms in handling legacy security flags.
As of Tuesday morning, Prof. Ndibe had not issued a further public comment beyond his initial post thanking supporters.
This latest development underscores ongoing debates in Nigeria about balancing national security with freedom of movement and expression, particularly for vocal public intellectuals.
