Nigerian author and columnist Okey Ndibe has confirmed that he was released after being held for more than three hours by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos. Ndibe disclosed the development in a Facebook post on Monday, reassuring supporters that he was safe and in good spirits.
Expressing gratitude for the concern shown by friends, colleagues, and well-wishers, the renowned writer said he received numerous messages and calls after reports of the incident surfaced. He thanked those who reached out and promised to return missed calls in the coming days.
Despite describing the experience as a detention, Ndibe noted that the DSS officers who interacted with him remained professional and courteous throughout the encounter. “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 wrote.
The author added that he was unable to respond immediately to many of the calls and messages he received from supporters across different parts of the world. He, however, assured them that he was doing well and deeply appreciated their concern and solidarity.
Meanwhile, the DSS has rejected reports that Ndibe was arrested or detained at the airport. In a statement issued by its Deputy Director of Public Relations and Strategic Communications, Favour Dozie, the agency maintained that no arrest took place and described its interaction with the author as part of an ongoing review of security watchlists.
According to the DSS, the current Director-General ordered a reassessment of longstanding watchlist actions, including some dating back to the military era, to prevent citizens from facing unnecessary inconvenience due to outdated security alerts. The agency explained that individuals previously placed on such lists are routinely invited for engagement as part of a process that may lead to the downgrading or removal of their watchlist status, insisting that its interaction with Ndibe was connected to that review exercise rather than an arrest or detention.
Elijah Adeyemi
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