Drama at Abuja Airport as Security Operatives Move to Arrest El-Rufai

Tension flared at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on Thursday following an alleged attempt by security operatives to arrest former Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, upon his arrival in Nigeria.

According to his media adviser, Muyiwa Adekeye, security agents approached El-Rufai shortly after he landed from Cairo, Egypt, and sought to take him into custody. Adekeye said the former governor declined to accompany the operatives, insisting that he would only honour a formal and lawful invitation from the appropriate authorities. The aide further alleged that during the encounter, the operatives confiscated El-Rufai’s international passport from one of his aides. He described the development as “an attempt at intimidation,” maintaining that his principal had not been informed of any pending charges or investigation requiring his arrest. As of the time of filing this report, security agencies, including the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigeria Police Force, had not issued any official statement confirming or denying the alleged arrest attempt. The incident comes days after El-Rufai publicly raised concerns about a possible plot to detain him upon his return to the country. In recent statements, the former governor claimed that some of his associates had been arrested and suggested that he might be the next target. He also maintained that no formal charges had been brought against him. El-Rufai, who governed Kaduna State from 2015 to 2023, has remained an influential figure in national politics. His recent political moves and outspoken comments on national issues have drawn significant attention, particularly as political alignments begin to take shape ahead of the 2027 general elections. The circumstances surrounding Thursday’s incident remain unclear, and it is yet to be determined whether any formal legal process has been initiated against the former governor.