Security Agents Attempted to Arrest El-Rufai at Abuja Airport, says Aide

Muyiwa Adekeye, media aide to Nasir el-Rufai, says security agents attempted to arrest the former Kaduna governor at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, as he returned from Cairo, Egypt.

In a post on X, Adekeye alleged that operatives approached el-Rufai shortly after he disembarked from his flight on Wednesday but he declined to accompany them in the absence of a formal invitation.

“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. They however snatched his international passport from an aide,” he wrote.

Ubong Akpan, counsel to el-Rufai, described the incident as a “flagrant violation of constitutional rights” and “executive overreach”, claiming operatives from the Department of State Services (DSS) moved to detain the former governor without a warrant or formal invitation.

According to a statement by Akpan, el-Rufai demanded to see the letter of invitation but none was produced.

He said the operatives then “physically snatched” his international passport from an aide — an act the counsel termed “stealing” and a violation of property rights.

Akpan said the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had delivered an invitation to el-Rufai’s residence in December 2025 while he was abroad, which his team deemed impractical.

He said they formally assured the EFCC of compliance and notified the agency on February 11, 2026, that el-Rufai would voluntarily appear at their office by 10:00 am on Monday, February 16, 2026.

Akpan said despite this commitment, the attempted arrest proceeded.

The counsel cited multiple constitutional infringements, including rights to personal liberty, fair hearing, dignity of the human person, freedom of movement, and ownership of property.

“There exists no justifiable basis for this attempted arrest or the accompanying mistreatment. Despite prior intelligence of plans to effect this arrest, Malam El-Rufai proceeded with his return following medical treatment and rest abroad, publicly affirming his commitment to face any legitimate inquiry. This premeditated interception at the airport exemplifies lawlessness and an abuse of state power,” the statement reads.

Akpan demanded the immediate return of the passport, cessation of unlawful efforts to detain el-Rufai, and a formal apology.

He noted that el-Rufai would never flee law enforcement and would honour all legitimate summons without preconditions.

The development follows recent claims by el-Rufai that he could face a politically motivated arrest upon his return to Nigeria.

The former governor had alleged that some of his associates were being detained following his criticisms of the current administration.