DSS clarifies it’s action on Prof. Okey Ndibe
By Trek Africa Newspaper
THE Department of State Services (DSS) has clarified 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 clarification was made in a statement by Favour Dozie, deputy director, Public Relations and Strategic Communications, National Headquarters, State Services, June 2,
Parts of the statement reads:
“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.
“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 is pertinent to state that the foregoing process is aimed at ensuring that before the final delisting, that activities, travel histories as well as current activities of these individuals are not in furtherance of and do not still conform with the reasons for the initial WLA.
“Suffice to point out that since the inception of the current Management , many Nigerians, including journalists have benefited from this process. This is despite the fact that the Service conducts this clearance to take care of Watch List requests from other Agencies.
“A case in point is that of Mr Lanre Arogundade, Executive Director of the International Press Centre, IPC, whose delisting was approved in May 2025, after over a decade on 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.
“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. 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.
“The Service reiterates that this process will continue to ensure that all Nigerians are fairly treated, with due regard to the provisions of the Law.
“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.”
Realnews reported the development on Ndibe Monday following a tip off on the distressful situation based on his text message stating: “I ‘ve been with the SSS now for more than an hour. They’re waiting for clearance from some ọga before they let me go.”
He was detained after he arrived in Nigeria June 1, and kept at Murtala Mohammed International Airport at Ikeja, by the secret police.
His detention on arrival has been a regular occurrence since the days of President Goodluck Jonathan for his critical articles on the Nigerian leadership.
However, he has not been writing in the Nigerian media in the last two years, as he concentrates on book writing and teaching at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, his alma mater.
On each occasion he was arrested in the past, according to his close friend, C. Don Adinuba who was a former commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment in Anambra State, he would be released after the airport DSS officials got in touch with their superiors in Abuja.
“It is a pity that this agency doesn’t update its data base to enable the officers on duty at the airport to know that the agency does no longer regard Prof Ndibe as a security threat to the administration.
“The agency has on each occasion apologized to him for the wrongful detention”.
However, after his release, Ndibe, in a post on Facebook, thanked Nigerians for their concern, assured that he is safe and sound and that he was treated courteously by the officials of the DSS.
By Victoria Frances
