LAGOS, Nigeria — The Department of State Services has denied reports that Okey Ndibe was arrested or detained at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, saying his interaction with its operatives was part of an administrative review of an old watch-list entry.
In a statement on Monday, June 1, 2026, the DSS said Prof. Ndibe was neither arrested nor detained, contrary to claims that had circulated in some reports.
“The Department of State Services (DSS) wishes to categorically state that Prof. Okey Ndibe was neither arrested nor detained at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on June 1, 2026, as alleged in some reports,” the agency said.
The Service said the encounter was connected to an ongoing review of longstanding Watch-List Actions, some of which it said dated back several years, including to the military era.
According to the DSS, its current Director-General had ordered a broad audit of existing watch-list records after assuming office, with the aim of preventing Nigerians from being subjected to inconvenience or embarrassment because of outdated security classifications.
The agency said the review was intended to bring its procedures in line with current standards and international best practices.
Watch-List Audit
The DSS said individuals whose names appear on the watch list may be engaged when necessary as part of efforts to review, downgrade or remove such entries.
It said the process was designed to determine whether a person’s present activities, travel patterns and engagements still corresponded with the original basis for inclusion on the list.
The agency added that the review had already benefited several Nigerians, including members of the media.
It cited the case of Lanre Arogundade, Executive Director of the International Press Centre, whose name it said was removed from the watch list in May 2025 after more than a decade.
The DSS also said it processes watch-list requests initiated by other government and security agencies.
Ndibe’s Case
In Ndibe’s case, the Service said its records showed that he was placed on the watch list on January 29, 2013.
The agency said a recent review had led to the downgrading of the watch-list action, clearing the way for his final removal from the list.
“Consequently, the brief interaction with him at the airport was solely for the purpose of completing the necessary administrative procedures related to that process,” the DSS said.
The Service said the engagement lasted less than one hour, after which Ndibe was cleared and “courteously escorted.”
It added that Ndibe, in his own account of the incident, acknowledged the professionalism and courtesy of its personnel.
Agency Says Audit Will Continue
The DSS said it remained committed to operating within the law and protecting the rights and dignity of citizens.
It said the Service, under its current leadership, was strengthening adherence to the rule of law, respect for human rights and best practices in intelligence and security management.
The agency encouraged people who believe they may be affected by a Watch-List Action to contact the DSS National Headquarters for clarification and possible review.
It added that the audit and sanitisation of the watch-list system would continue whether or not formal requests were submitted.
“The Department of State Services remains steadfast in its commitment to fairness, professionalism, and national security,” the statement said.
