DSS Speaks On Ndibe Airport Watchlist Review
The Department of State Services has responded to claims that it detained Nigerian writer Okey Ndibe on arrival in Lagos, saying the encounter was part of a routine security watchlist review.
The agency said the interaction was not an arrest but a standard procedure linked to long-standing records.
The issue followed an allegation by activist Omoyele Sowore that DSS operatives held Ndibe at Murtala Muhammed International Airport after his return from the United States.
The claim sparked public concern and debate over how security agencies handle returning citizens flagged on old lists.
The DSS explained that Ndibe had been on its watchlist since 2013, but said his record had already been reviewed and downgraded as part of an ongoing reform of outdated security files.
It added that such reviews are meant to clear names that no longer pose security concerns.
According to the agency, Ndibe was only engaged briefly during the airport interaction and was cleared after less than an hour.
It added that the broader review process will continue to ensure fair treatment of individuals affected by old security listings.
