Okey Ndibe, a Nigerian author and columnist, has confirmed his release by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos.
Ndibe announced his release in a Facebook post on Monday, saying that he was held for more than three hours at the Lagos airport.
The author thanked friends, acquaintances, and well-wishers who expressed concern following reports of 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.
Despite the incident, Ndibe said the DSS personnel who interacted with him were professional throughout the process.
“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 writer said that he received several calls from supporters and associates all around the world once news of the incident spread, but he was unable to answer to the majority of them right away.
“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,” Ndibe said.
However, the DSS has disputed allegations that Ndibe was arrested or held at the airport.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by its Deputy Director of Public Relations and Strategic Communications, Favour Dozie, the agency described its engagement with the author as part of an ongoing security watchlist assessment.
“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.
According to the DSS, the current Director-General has ordered a review of long-standing watch-list measures, some of which date back to the military regime, to prevent civilians from being inconvenienced by out-of-date security warnings.
The agency claimed that their interaction with Ndibe was related to the review process, not an arrest or imprisonment.
According to the Service, individuals who have previously been placed on watchlists are routinely invited for interaction as part of a review process that may result in their watchlist status being downgraded or removed.
