Nigerian author and public affairs commentator, Okey Ndibe, has regained his freedom after being questioned by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.
Ndibe confirmed his release on Tuesday, hours after reports emerged that he had been stopped by security officials upon his arrival at the airport.
The renowned writer disclosed that he spent more than three hours with DSS operatives before he was eventually allowed to leave.
Reacting to the development, Ndibe expressed appreciation to friends, associates and supporters who reached out after learning about the incident.
“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.
While describing his experience, the author noted that the officers who interacted with him remained professional 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.
Ndibe said he received numerous calls and messages from concerned individuals both within and outside Nigeria after news of the incident spread. According to him, he was unable to immediately respond to many of the calls because of the circumstances surrounding the interrogation.
“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 dismissed reports suggesting that the writer was arrested or detained by its operatives.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by its Deputy Director of Public Relations and Strategic Communications, Favour Dozie, the agency insisted that Ndibe was neither arrested nor detained at the Lagos 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 said.
The secret police explained that the interaction with the author was connected to an ongoing review of security watchlists approved by the current Director-General of the Service.
According to the DSS, the review is aimed at addressing longstanding watch-list entries, including some that date back to the military era, in order to prevent Nigerians from facing unnecessary difficulties due to outdated security records.
The agency further stated that individuals whose names appear on such watchlists are often invited for routine interactions as part of the verification process. It noted that the exercise could eventually lead to the removal or downgrading of their watchlist status where necessary.
The DSS maintained that its engagement with Ndibe fell within this framework and should not be interpreted as an arrest or detention.
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