Arrest drama on El-Rufai’s arrival at Abuja Airport
What began as a routine arrival at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, yesterday quickly degenerated into a tense security standoff. Former Kaduna State governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, allegedly resisted
- Ex-governor’s passport seized
What began as a routine arrival at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, yesterday quickly degenerated into a tense security standoff.
Former Kaduna State governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, allegedly resisted an attempt to arrest him minutes after he arrived from Cairo, Egypt.
Short video clips that circulated widely on social media showed the former governor in a heated exchange with plain-clothed security operatives at the arrival terminal, drawing the attention of fellow passengers and airport officials.
In one of the clips, El-Rufai was seen firmly declining to accompany the operatives, insisting that any request for his appearance must follow due process.
“Listen, nobody, not even the President, will tell me what to do. If you want to invite me, send a letter,” he said, as security personnel tried unsuccessfully to persuade him to leave the public area of the airport.
It remained unclear which security agency initiated the move, although a statement by his legal team pointed to the Department of State Service (DSS).
No official confirmation had been issued by any security agency.
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The encounter reportedly escalated when operatives allegedly seized El-Rufai’s international passport from one of his aides, an action that sparked further tension at the terminal.
To set the stage for yesterday’s rowdiness, El-Rufai twitted on Wednesday of his impending arrest by security operatives.
An aide to the former governor, Mr Muyiwa Adekeye, confirmed the incident in a statement, alleging that security operatives targeted El-Rufai immediately after he disembarked from Egypt Air flight MS 877 from Cairo.
According to Adekeye, the operatives attempted to take El-Rufai into custody without presenting any formal invitation or warrant.
Read Also: El-Rufai resists arrest as passport seized at Abuja airport
“Security agents today (yesterday) 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 said.
He added that the operatives went further to confiscate the former governor’s passport from an aide during the confrontation.
“They, however, snatched his passport from an aide,” he alleged.
The scene reportedly attracted a crowd of passengers and airport users, some of who protested what they described as a heavy-handed approach, insisting that due process must be followed before any arrest could be effected.
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In a statement issued by his legal counsel, the Chambers of Ubong Akpan, the attempted arrest was described as unlawful, unconstitutional and a flagrant abuse of power.
The statement said an invitation from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was delivered to El-Rufai’s residence while he was already abroad, making immediate compliance impossible.
According to the lawyers, they had formally communicated with the EFCC since December 2025, assuring the commission that El-Rufai would honour the invitation upon his return.
They further stated that the EFCC was notified that the former governor would voluntarily appear at its office by 10:00 a.m. on Monday, February 16, 2026.
“Resorting to arrest despite this clear commitment exemplifies arbitrary conduct and undermines procedural integrity,” the statement said.
The legal team alleged that DSS operatives attempted to arrest El-Rufai at the airport without presenting any warrant or written invitation.
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“When he calmly demanded to see the letter of invitation, a basic entitlement of any citizen, none could be produced. There was no document, no lawful process,” the statement added.
Describing the seizure of El-Rufai’s passport as unlawful, the lawyers said the action amounted to stealing and a violation of his fundamental rights.
They cited several sections of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), including the right to personal liberty, dignity of the human person, freedom of movement, fair hearing and the right to own property, which they said were infringed upon during the incident.
“There exists no justifiable basis for this attempted arrest or the accompanying mistreatment,” the statement said, adding that El-Rufai returned to Nigeria willingly after medical treatment abroad, despite being aware of alleged plans to arrest him.
The lawyers demanded the immediate return of his passport, an end to what they described as unlawful attempts to detain him, and a formal apology from the agencies involved.
They also warned that legal action would be pursued to ensure accountability and prevent future abuses.
Neither the DSS nor the EFCC issued a response last night.
