10views
Nigerian author and columnist, Okey Ndibe, has confirmed his release after being questioned by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, following an incident that sparked widespread concern among his supporters.
Ndibe disclosed the development in a Facebook post on Tuesday, revealing that he spent more than three hours with DSS officials at the airport before regaining his freedom.
Expressing gratitude to friends, colleagues, and well-wishers who reached out after news of the incident emerged, the acclaimed writer said he was overwhelmed by the outpouring of support.
“I am so grateful for the expressions of concern by many friends, acquaintances and others over my detention earlier today by the DSS at Murtala Muhammed International Airport,” he wrote.
Despite describing the experience as a detention, Ndibe commended the DSS personnel who interacted with him, noting that they remained professional and courteous throughout the engagement.
“The two agents who interacted with me were quite courteous throughout the three-plus hours of my detention. I’d like to confirm that I’ve been released,” he added.
The author also disclosed that he received numerous calls and messages from supporters across different parts of the world after reports of the incident circulated, but was unable to respond immediately.
“In the coming days, I’ll find time to return more calls. But I want all to know that I am fine and in excellent spirits. I treasure your messages and gestures of friendship,” he stated.
However, the DSS has rejected claims that Ndibe was arrested or detained, insisting that its interaction with the author was part of an ongoing review of security watchlists.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by the agency’s Deputy Director of Public Relations and Strategic Communications, Favour Dozie, the service maintained that Ndibe was neither arrested nor detained at the airport.
“The Department of State Services hereby clarifies 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 for that matter,” the statement read.
According to the DSS, the Director-General had initiated a review of longstanding watch-list actions, including some inherited from the military era, to prevent citizens from facing unnecessary inconvenience due to outdated security alerts.
The agency explained that individuals whose names appear on such lists are often invited for interactions as part of a verification process that could result in their watch-list status being downgraded or completely removed.
The DSS therefore maintained that its engagement with Ndibe was connected to this review exercise and should not be interpreted as an arrest or detention.
add a comment
