Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Department of State Services (DSS) briefly detained renowned Nigerian novelist and author, Professor Okey Ndibe, upon his arrival at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos on Monday, June 1, 2026, triggering condemnation from human rights organisations who described the incident as an “escalating crackdown” on free expression under President Bola Tinubu’s administration. Ndibe, who arrived on a flight from the United States, was reportedly released after officials informed him that the officer handling his case file had travelled out of the country.
The Socio‑Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) issued a strong statement on Monday condemning the detention as “patently unlawful”. “Okey Ndibe should never have been detained in the first place simply for the peaceful exercise of his human rights,” SERAP said, adding that the incident forms part of a pattern of harassment targeting critics, human rights defenders and civil society organisations. The organisation called on the Tinubu government to clarify the legal basis for the detention, ensure transparency, and guarantee that security agencies do not misuse their powers to target peaceful critics.
However, a DSS source offered a different account, telling Vanguard that Ndibe was not formally arrested but was briefly engaged as part of “standard border‑control procedures” linked to a watch‑list action initiated against him in 2013 during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan. According to the source, the watch‑list was being reviewed, and Ndibe left the airport within 30 minutes. The DSS has not issued an official statement, and Ndibe has since returned to the United States.
The Rights, Education and Advocacy Centre for Humanity (RULAAC) also condemned the incident, warning that it would have a chilling effect on free speech. SERAP further urged the United Nations and African Union human rights mechanisms to publicly condemn the detention and warn Nigeria that repression of citizens’ rights would carry consequences for the country’s international reputation. The Tinubu government has yet to respond to the demands.
📩 Stone Reporters News | 🌍 stonereportersnews.com
✉️ info@stonereportersnews.com
📘 Facebook: Stone Reporters News
🐦 X (Twitter): @StoneReportNew
📸 Instagram: @stonereportersnews
Add comment
Comments