Nigeria, June 2 -- The State Security Service (SSS) has denied arresting or detaining renowned writer and academic, Okey Ndibe, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos, saying its interaction with him was part of a routine process to remove his name from a long-standing watch list.

The clarification came after Mr Ndibe disclosed on Facebook that he was detained by operatives of the agency at the airport on Thursday, prompting concern among friends, colleagues and supporters.

In a statement issued on Tuesday by its Deputy Director of Public Relations and Strategic Communications, Favour Dozie, the SSS said reports suggesting that Mr Ndibe was arrested were inaccurate.

According to the agency, Mr Ndibe had been on i...