The Department of State Services (DSS) has denied reports that renowned academic and columnist, Professor Okey Ndibe, was arrested or detained at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on June 1, 2026.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, by Favour Dozie, Deputy Director, Public Relations and Strategic Communicationsthe, DSS said the interaction with Ndibe was part of an ongoing review of longstanding Watch-List Actions (WLAs) inherited from previous administrations, some of which date back to the military era.
The agency described reports of Ndibe’s alleged arrest as inaccurate, stressing that the professor was merely invited for a routine interface connected to the review and eventual removal of his name from the watchlist.
“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 read.
According to the Service, the current Director-General ordered a comprehensive review of old watch-list records upon assuming office to prevent citizens from being unnecessarily embarrassed by legacy security alerts.
“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.
The agency explained that individuals previously placed on watchlists are routinely engaged and profiled as part of a process aimed at reviewing, downgrading and ultimately removing their names from such lists in line with international best practices.
“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,” it said.
The DSS noted that the review process is designed to verify that the activities, travel histories and current engagements of affected individuals no longer align with the circumstances that initially led to their watchlisting.
Highlighting previous beneficiaries of the exercise, the Service said several Nigerians, including journalists, have had their names removed from the watchlist following successful reviews.
“Suffice to point out that since the inception of the current Management, many Nigerians, including journalists, have benefited from this process,” the statement noted.
The agency specifically cited the case of Mr. 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.
Providing further details on Ndibe’s case, the DSS disclosed that the scholar had been on its watchlist since January 29, 2013, but that his case had already 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 Service explaHere’s a polished news report based on the statement:
**DSS Clears Air on Okey Ndibe Airport Encounter, Denies Arrest**
**ABUJA, June 2, 2026** — The Department of State Services (DSS) has denied reports that renowned academic and columnist, Professor Okey Ndibe, was arrested or detained at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on June 1, 2026.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the DSS said the interaction with Ndibe was part of an ongoing review of longstanding Watch-List Actions (WLAs) inherited from previous administrations, some of which date back to the military era.
The agency described reports of Ndibe’s alleged arrest as inaccurate, stressing that the professor was merely invited for a routine interface connected to the review and eventual removal of his name from the watchlist.
“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 read.
According to the Service, the current Director-General ordered a comprehensive review of old watch-list records upon assuming office to prevent citizens from being unnecessarily embarrassed by legacy security alerts.
“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.
The agency explained that individuals previously placed on watchlists are routinely engaged and profiled as part of a process aimed at reviewing, downgrading and ultimately removing their names from such lists in line with international best practices.
“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,” it said.
The DSS noted that the review process is designed to verify that the activities, travel histories and current engagements of affected individuals no longer align with the circumstances that initially led to their watchlisting.
Highlighting previous beneficiaries of the exercise, the Service said several Nigerians, including journalists, have had their names removed from the watchlist following successful reviews.
“Suffice to point out that since the inception of the current Management, many Nigerians, including journalists, have benefited from this process,” the statement noted.
The agency specifically cited the case of Mr. 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.
Providing further details on Ndibe’s case, the DSS disclosed that the scholar had been on its watchlist since January 29, 2013, but that his case had already 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 Service explained.
It added that the engagement lasted less than an hour and ended with Ndibe being 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 referenced Ndibe’s own social media account of the incident, noting that he acknowledged the professionalism and courteous conduct of its operatives.
“Note that, 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,” it stated.
The Service reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that all Nigerians are treated fairly and in accordance with the law, while encouraging individuals who believe they may still be affected by old watch-list actions to formally contact its headquarters.
“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 concluded.
The statement was signed by Favour Dozie, Deputy Director, Public Relations and Strategic Communications, National Headquarters of the State Services.
ined.
It added that the engagement lasted less than an hour and ended with Ndibe being 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 referenced Ndibe’s own social media account of the incident, noting that he acknowledged the professionalism and courteous conduct of its operatives.
“Note that, 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,” it stated.
The Service reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that all Nigerians are treated fairly and in accordance with the law, while encouraging individuals who believe they may still be affected by old watch-list actions to formally contact its headquarters.
“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 concluded.
