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 as speculated.
In a statement on its X handle on Tuesday by the Deputy Director, Public Relations and Strategic Communications, Favour Dozie, the service clarified that the interface with him was done to delist his name from the watchlist, as directed by the current Director General of the Service, Adeola Ajayi.
“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,” the Service said, adding that “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.”
The Service added 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 DSS explained that the current DG of the Service, Ajayi, upon assumption of duty, directed a review of old Watch-List Actions (WLAs), some of which date back to the Military Era. Saying that this was to ensure that “citizens are not unduly embarrassed due to pre-existing WLAs.”
It noted that 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,” the Service said.
The DSS pointed out that since the inception of the current Management , many Nigerians, including journalists have benefited from this process, 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,” it added.
While reiterating that this process would continue to ensure that all Nigerians are fairly treated, with due regard to the provisions of the Law, the DSS urged citizens affected by the Service WLA, who wish to formally report the same to the National Headquarters to facilitate the ongoing process, can also do so.
However, it said regardless of any formal request, the attempt at hygiene regarding the WLA, would be sustained.
