Nigerian author Okey Ndibe confirms release after DSS interaction at Lagos airport
via Punch Nigeria2 min read
Nigerian author and columnist Okey Ndibe confirmed his release after being held for over three hours by operatives of the Department of State Services DSS at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos. Ndibe shared the news in a Facebook post on Tuesday, expressing gratitude for the concern shown by friends and well-wishers. He noted that the DSS officers who interacted with him were professional throughout the period. The DSS, however, denied arresting or detaining Ndibe, stating that their interaction was part of an ongoing review of security watchlists. According to the DSS, the Director-General ordered a review of longstanding watchlist actions, some dating back to the military era, to prevent unnecessary inconvenience to citizens from outdated security alerts. The agency clarified that its engagement with Ndibe was connected to this review process, which involves inviting individuals on watchlists for interaction to potentially downgrade or remove their watchlist status.
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Ireland's Immigration Service Delivery has issued new guidelines requiring non-European Economic Area nationals planning to study in Ireland for over three months to obtain a long-term study visa before traveling. Applications must be submitted from their home country or country of legal residence up to three months before the intended travel date. The process involves completing an online form, printing and signing the summary, paying fees, and submitting supporting documents. Required documents include a valid passport, photographs, private medical insurance, an application letter, a letter of acceptance from an educational institution, proof of tuition fee payment, academic qualifications, language proficiency, and evidence of sufficient funds. Applicants must disclose any previous visa refusals, and students under 18 may need parental consent and accommodation details. Incomplete or misleading applications can lead to refusal and a potential five-year visa ban. Applications are processed in order of receipt, and additional information may be requested. Students are advised not to make travel arrangements until their visa is approved. A valid visa does not guarantee entry, as students must satisfy immigration officials upon arrival. Extensions of stay are possible only in rare and exceptional circumstances and must be requested before existing permission expires. The ISD emphasizes careful and accurate application preparation to avoid delays or refusals.
Former Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose stated that President Bola Tinubu is the clear favorite for the 2027 presidential election, attributing this to a divided opposition. Speaking on Channels Television, Fayose argued that opposition parties have weakened their chances by failing to unite. He dismissed suggestions of significant electoral threats to Tinubu despite concerns over insecurity, economic hardship, and rising living costs. Fayose asserted that "Nobody is contesting against Tinubu," distinguishing this reality from social media noise. He believes Tinubu would have faced a tougher battle if opposition leaders had formed a united coalition. Fayose maintained that the proliferation of political parties and presidential hopefuls has diminished the opposition's prospects, drawing a parallel to the 2023 election where opposition division benefited Tinubu. He also claimed Tinubu has done his best to address the country's security crisis, suggesting the president is being blackmailed by the crisis ahead of the 2027 election, similar to how former President Jonathan was blackmailed through insecurity.
Must ReadThe 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.
The Federal Government has initiated a one-million-tree-planting campaign at the Nigerian Defence Academy NDA in Kaduna, in collaboration with the Africa Finance Corporation AFC and Fifth Chukker. This initiative aims to combat climate change, desertification, deforestation, and biodiversity loss across Nigeria. The project was launched at the NDA Biodiversity Conservation Centre. Abubakar Buba, Kaduna State Commissioner for Environment, representing the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal, highlighted the project's ecological and socio-economic benefits, noting Kaduna State's environmental challenges, including desertification in the north and deforestation in the south. He emphasized that the planting of one million trees will sequester carbon dioxide and align with Nigeria’s commitments under the Paris Climate Agreement, while also strengthening biodiversity conservation through the creation of a natural, self-sustaining forest ecosystem. Ismail Zubairu, President and Chief Executive Officer of AFC, stated that the initiative underscores AFC's commitment to environmental sustainability and long-term development, extending beyond tree planting to include conservation research, environmental education, and green job creation. The Commandant of the NDA, Major-General, described environmental degradation as a national security issue, noting the academy established the Biodiversity Conservation Centre two years ago to conserve indigenous flora and fauna and support environm