The Department of State Services (DSS) on Monday denied arresting or detaining writer and professor Okey Ndibe at Murtala Muhammed International Airport on June 1, saying the encounter was part of a routine review of old watch-list entries, some dating back to the military era.
In a statement signed by Deputy Director of Public Relations Favour Dozie, the agency said Prof Ndibe has been on its watch-list since January 29, 2013, but that his case had already been reviewed and downgraded ahead of final delisting.
“The interface with him at the airport was geared towards the final delisting of his details,” the statement read, adding that he “was cleared and escorted” after barely an hour.
The DSS said its current Director-General, upon assuming office, ordered a review of legacy Watch-List Actions (WLAs) to prevent citizens from being “unduly embarrassed” by outdated entries. The agency said many Nigerians, including journalists, have benefited from the process since the current management took over.
As a recent example, the DSS cited the case of Lanre Arogundade, Executive Director of the International Press Centre, whose delisting was approved in May 2025 after more than a decade on the watch-list.
The agency also pointed to Prof Ndibe’s own Facebook post following the incident, noting that he referenced the “professional, courteous and decorous conduct” of DSS operatives — a detail the statement used to push back against any characterisation of the encounter as an arrest or harassment.
The DSS said the watch-list hygiene process would continue regardless of formal requests, but encouraged citizens who believe they are affected by an active WLA to report to the National Headquarters to facilitate review. #Securitynewsalert.com
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