Forty years after, DSS finally removes Lanre Arogundade’s name from watchlist

The Department of State Security (DSS) has finally removed Mr. Lanre Arogundade’s name from its watchlist after about 40 years.

Arogundade, who is presently an Executive Director at the International Press Institute (IPI), suffered this fate of being placed on the DSS watchlist during the military regime when he served  as the president of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) between 1984 and 1985.

IPI Nigeria President, Mr. Musikilu Mojeed, announced this development on Tuesday in Abeokuta, Ogun State, at the 3rd Nigerian Media Leaders’ Summit convened by Journalism Clinic led by veteran Journalist Taiwo Obe, with media owners and top editors in attendance.

A statement by Tobi Soniyi, the Legal Adviser/Chairman, Advocacy Committee, said Mr Mojeed disclosed that the Director-General of the DSS, Adeola Oluwatosin Ajayi, informed IPI Nigeria of the development during a recent engagement with the Service.
“The DSS decision followed sustained and intensive campaign by IPI Nigeria to get Mr Arogundade’s name removed from the watchlist. The renewed campaign became necessary when Mr. Arogundade’s name was not removed despite previous assurance.

“For about forty years, Mr Arogundade was subjected to persistent harassment and embarrassment, including brief detention by security operatives at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos,” the statement reads in part.

IPI Nigeria says it welcomes the decision and commends the DSS for finally removing Mr. Arogundade’s name from the watchlist.

Media executives present at the Abeokuta summit applauded the announcement while Mr. Arogundade, who was also among them, expressed his gratitude  and that of his family to IPI Nigeria for the commendable effort.