DSS denies arresting Okey Ndibe, explains airport interaction as watchlist review
via Punch Nigeria3 min read
The Department of State Services DSS has refuted claims of arresting or detaining writer and academic Okey Ndibe at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on June 1, 2026. According to a statement from Deputy Director of Public Relations and Strategic Communications, Favour Dozie, the interaction was a routine process to review and remove individuals from its watchlist. The DSS clarified that its current Director-General initiated a review of old Watch-List Actions, some dating back to the military era, to prevent unnecessary embarrassment to citizens from outdated security alerts. Individuals previously on watchlists are routinely invited for interaction as a prerequisite for a review and potential downgrade or removal of their watchlist status. The agency stated that Ndibe had been on its watchlist since January 29, 2013, but his case has since been reviewed and downgraded. The airport interaction was aimed at the final delisting of his details. Ndibe was cleared after less than an hour, and the DSS noted his Facebook post acknowledging the professional conduct of its operatives. The Service highlighted that many Nigerians, including journalists like Mr. Lanre Arogundade, Executive Director of the International Press Centre, have benefited from this ongoing review exercise. The DSS reaffirmed its commitment to fair treatment of citizens and encouraged those affected by watchlist actions to contact its headquarters for review.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Punch Nigeria.
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