The Department of State Services (DSS) has dismissed reports claiming that its operatives arrested author and public affairs analyst Okey Ndibe at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos on Monday.
Earlier reports had alleged that operatives of the secret police arrested and detained the professor shortly after his arrival from the United States.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, Favour Dozie, DSS deputy director of public relations and strategic communications, said Ndibe had been on the watch-list actions (WLAs) since January 29, 2013.
Dozie explained that DSS operatives only engaged the writer as part of routine procedures linked to his removal from the watchlist.
“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,” Dozie said.
“Note 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.”
He added that the DSS director-general, Adeola Ajayi, had ordered a review of old watchlists, including cases dating back to the military era.
According to him, individuals previously placed on watchlists are “routinely interfaced with as a prerequisite for a review and possible downgrade of the action”.
NDIBE REACTS
In a Facebook post on Monday evening, Ndibe confirmed that he had been released and expressed appreciation for those who reached out to him.
He said the DSS officials who interacted with him “were quite courteous throughout the three+ hours of my detention”.
“I’d like to confirm that I’ve been released,” he said.
“Dozens of people have called me from different parts of the world, I was only able to speak to a few. 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.”
PREVIOUS BRUSHES WITH DSS
Ndibe has had several encounters with security operatives in the past.
In 2011, he was detained at the Lagos airport by DSS officials, and his passport was seized before he was later released.
In 2017, he was again arrested by the DSS.
In 2021, security agents reportedly attempted to stop him from travelling to the United States.
The writer has previously said he has been on the “list of targeted writers” in Nigeria since 2008.