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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Energy & Infrastructure

Nigerian author Okey Ndibe confirms release after DSS airport interaction

From The Punch · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Outcome reported
  • Nigerian author Okey Ndibe confirmed his release by the Department of State Services (DSS) after being held for over three hours at Lagos airport.
  • Ndibe expressed gratitude for the concern shown by friends and well-wishers, noting the DSS agents were courteous during his interaction.
  • The DSS denied arresting or detaining Ndibe, stating the engagement was part of a review of outdated security watchlists to prevent unnecessary inconvenience for citizens.

Nigerian author and columnist Okey Ndibe has confirmed his release after being held by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos. The renowned writer stated he was detained for more than three hours on Tuesday.

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.

— Okey NdibeNigerian author, confirming his release and thanking supporters.

Ndibe took to Facebook to express his gratitude for the outpouring of concern from friends, acquaintances, and others following reports of the incident. He specifically mentioned that the two DSS agents he interacted with were courteous throughout the duration of his detention. "I’d like to confirm that I’ve been released," he wrote, adding that he was fine and in excellent spirits despite the experience.

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.

— Okey NdibeNigerian author, describing his interaction with DSS agents.

The author revealed that he received numerous calls from supporters globally but was unable to respond to most immediately. He promised to return calls in the coming days, valuing the messages and gestures of friendship he received. He also noted that the DSS's engagement with him was connected to a review process of longstanding watch-list actions, some dating back to the military era.

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.

— Favour DozieDSS Deputy Director of Public Relations and Strategic Communications, denying the arrest.

However, the DSS has issued a statement denying that Ndibe was arrested or detained. Favour Dozie, Deputy Director of Public Relations and Strategic Communications for the DSS, clarified that the agency did not arrest or detain Prof. Okey Ndibe on June 1, 2026, or any other date. According to the DSS, the current Director-General ordered a review of old watch-list entries to prevent citizens from facing undue inconvenience from outdated security alerts. The agency maintained that individuals on such lists are routinely invited for interaction as part of a review that could lead to their removal.

According to the DSS, the current Director-General had ordered a review of longstanding watch-list actions, including some dating back to the military era, to prevent citizens from being subjected to unnecessary inconvenience arising from outdated security alerts.

— DSS StatementExplaining the agency's interaction with Okey Ndibe.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Punch in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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