DSS denies the Okey Ndibe arrest claim, saying the airport encounter was part of a routine watchlist review and delisting process
The Department of State Services (DSS) has denied reports that it arrested or detained Okey Ndibe at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on June 1, stating that the interaction was part of a routine review of an existing watchlist action.
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In a statement issued on Tuesday by Deputy Director of Public Relations and Strategic Communications, Favour Dozie, the DSS said Prof. Ndibe was neither arrested nor detained at the airport or elsewhere on the date in question.
The agency explained that the current Director-General had directed a comprehensive review of old Watch-List Actions, many of which date back to the military era, to prevent Nigerians from facing unnecessary embarrassment due to longstanding records.
According to the DSS, individuals whose names remain on the watchlist are routinely invited for interface sessions as part of a process that could lead to the downgrade or complete removal of the listing.
The agency said the exercise is designed to verify that the activities, travel history and current engagements of affected persons no longer align with the reasons that initially led to their inclusion on the watchlist.
The DSS disclosed that Prof. Ndibe had been on its watchlist since January 29, 2013, but noted that his case had already been reviewed and downgraded.
The agency said the airport interaction formed part of the final stage of the delisting process.
Following what it described as a routine engagement lasting less than an hour, Prof. Ndibe was cleared and escorted.
The statement noted that Prof. Ndibe himself reportedly acknowledged the professional and courteous conduct of DSS operatives in a social media post following the encounter.
As a secondary highlight, the DSS pointed to the case of Lanre Arogundade, whose removal from the watchlist was approved in May 2025 after more than a decade.
The agency said numerous Nigerians, including journalists, have benefited from the ongoing review process.
The DSS reiterated its commitment to fairness, respect for the rule of law and protection of human rights under its current leadership.
The agency also urged Nigerians who believe they may be affected by a Watch-List Action to formally contact its national headquarters to facilitate review, while assuring that the powerful clean-up exercise of legacy watchlist records would continue regardless of formal requests.
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The clarification follows reports alleging an Okey Ndibe arrest at the Lagos airport, a claim the DSS maintains is inaccurate and inconsistent with the circumstances surrounding the interaction.
