Okey Ndibe, a Nigerian writer and blogger, has reported that he was freed by Department of State Services agents at Lagos’ Murtala Muhammed International Airport.
In a Facebook post on Monday, Ndibe announced his release, stating that he had been detained at the Lagos airport for over three hours.
After hearing about the tragedy, the well-known author thanked friends, acquaintances, and well-wishers who expressed concern.
He added, “I am so appreciative of the many friends, acquaintances, and others who expressed concern over my detention earlier today by the DSS at Murtala Muhammed International Airport.”
Ndibe claimed that notwithstanding the encounter, the DSS personnel that interacted with him behaved professionally the entire time.
“During the more than three hours of my imprisonment, the two agents I dealt with were quite kind. “I want to verify that I’ve been freed,” he continued.
The author disclosed that as word of the incident spread, he had a lot of calls from friends and fans all around the world, but he was unable to answer the majority of them right away.
“I’ll make time to answer more calls in the upcoming days.” However, I want everyone to know that I’m doing well and in a great mood. Ndibe remarked, “I cherish your messages and acts of friendship.”
Reports that Ndibe was detained or arrested at the airport, however, have been refuted by the DSS.
Favour Dozie, the agency’s Deputy Director of Public Relations and Strategic Communications, said in a statement released on Tuesday that the agency’s communication with the author was a part of a continuous examination of security watchlists.
The statement stated, “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 at any other location on that date for that matter.”
The DSS claims that in order to avoid causing civilians needless hardship due to out-of-date security warnings, the current Director-General has ordered a review of long-standing watch-list acts, some of which date back to the military era.
The agency insisted that their interaction with Ndibe had nothing to do with an arrest or imprisonment, but rather with that review procedure.
The Service claims that people who have previously been placed on watchlists are frequently asked to participate in a review process that may result in their watchlist status being removed or downgraded.
About The Author
