There was tension at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on Thursday following an alleged attempt by security operatives to arrest former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, upon his arrival from Cairo, Egypt.
The development was first disclosed by his Media Adviser, Muyiwa Adekeye, in a series of social media posts and videos later reposted by the former governor. According to Adekeye, El-Rufai was approached by security personnel shortly after disembarking from Egypt Air flight MS 877.
“Security agents today attempted to arrest Malam Nasir El-Rufai as he arrived on a flight from Cairo. Malam El-Rufai declined to follow them without a formal invitation,” Adekeye stated.
He alleged that the operatives moved to take the former governor into custody immediately but failed to present any warrant or official letter of invitation. Adekeye further claimed that during the encounter, El-Rufai’s international passport was confiscated.
“They, however, snatched his passport from an aide,” he added.
A video shared online showed an official of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) attempting to prevent bystanders from recording the incident, as a crowd reportedly gathered at the scene.
Although the specific agency involved was not initially identified, El-Rufai’s legal team later alleged that operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) carried out the attempted arrest.
Lawyers Allege Executive Overreach
In a statement issued by Ubong Esop Akpan of the Chambers of Ubong Akpan, counsel to the former governor condemned what they described as an unlawful and unconstitutional act.
The lawyers disclosed that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had earlier sent an invitation to El-Rufai while he was abroad. However, they said his legal team had formally communicated with the Commission since December 2025, assuring it of his willingness to appear upon his return.
According to the statement, the EFCC was notified that El-Rufai would voluntarily present himself at the Commission’s office by 10:00 a.m. on Monday, February 16, 2026.
The counsel argued that the attempted arrest at the airport disregarded this commitment and amounted to arbitrary conduct and executive overreach.
“Upon his arrival, security operatives… moved to arrest Malam El-Rufai without presenting any warrant or formal invitation. When he calmly demanded to see the letter of invitation — a basic entitlement of any citizen facing state action — none could be produced,” the statement read.
The lawyers described the seizure of his passport as unlawful and a violation of his constitutional rights, citing provisions relating to personal liberty, fair hearing, dignity of the human person, freedom of movement, and right to property.
They demanded the immediate return of the passport, cessation of any attempt to detain him unlawfully, and a formal apology, while vowing to pursue legal action against those responsible.
Incident Amid Rising Political Tensions
The airport episode comes amid heightened political tensions involving the former governor, who is now a chieftain of the opposition African Democratic Congress (ADC).
In a recent interview with BBC Hausa, El-Rufai had hinted at the possibility of his arrest, stating that four of his former associates in Kaduna had already been detained.
“So it’s only a matter of time before they come for me too,” he said, while also alleging that political pressure was being mounted on some politicians to defect to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) or remain within its fold.
As of press time, neither the DSS nor the EFCC had issued an official statement clarifying the circumstances surrounding the incident.
