By Ikugbadi Oluwasegun
The Department of State Services (DSS) has denied arresting or detaining Professor Okey Ndibe at Murtala Muhammed International Airport on Monday, June 1, 2026, clarifying that the encounter was part of a routine review of old Watch-List Actions.
In a statement signed by Favour Dozie, Deputy Director, Public Relations and Strategic Communications on Tuesday, the DSS said the current Director-General ordered a review of old WLAs, some dating back to the military era, to prevent citizens from being “unduly embarrassed”.
According to the Service, Prof. Ndibe has been on its watchlist since January 29, 2013. His case was recently reviewed and downgraded. The airport “interface” on June 1 was, therefore, a prerequisite for final delisting, in line with international best practices. The DSS said the process checks that an individual’s activities and travel history no longer align with the reasons for the initial WLA.
The statement added that the interaction lasted “barely an hour”, after which Prof Ndibe was cleared and escorted. It cited Ndibe’s own Facebook post referencing the “professional, courteous and decorous conduct” of DSS operatives under the new leadership.
The DSS noted that many Nigerians, including journalists, have benefited from the clearance process since the current management assumed duty. It cited Mr. Lanre Arogundade, Executive Director of the International Press Centre, whose delisting was approved in May 2025 after over a decade on the watchlist.
The service urged other citizens affected by WLAs to formally report to DSS National Headquarters to facilitate review, but said the “hygiene” exercise on the watchlist will continue regardless of formal requests.
