DSS arrests police, immigration officials over El-Rufai’s February 12 airport drama
The Department of State Services (DSS) has taken several security officials into custody over the airport drama that followed the return of former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, from Egypt on February 12.
The development comes weeks after an attempted arrest at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport triggered national attention as reported by the Daily Trust.
Security operatives had moved to detain El-Rufai shortly after he landed in Abuja from Cairo. The attempt failed, but his international passport was seized during the confrontation.
His spokesman, Muyiwa Adekeye, later made the incident public on X.
“Security agents today attempted to arrest Malam Nasir@elrufai 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,” Adekeye wrote.
Officers Detained After Joint Probe
Three days after the airport incident, El-Rufai honoured an invitation from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
He was held for questioning for three days and later granted bail. Shortly after his release, he was arrested again by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission.
The DSS, which had earlier filed charges against him, could not present him in court on February 25, 2026, because he remained in ICPC custody.
In a fresh statement, the secret police alleged that some officers were compromised during the airport episode.
According to the agency, five officials were detained after a joint investigation involving the DSS, Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigeria Customs Service and the Federal Ministry of Aviation.
The detained officers include Ayuba Yakubu (ASP) of the Police, Murtala Inuwa of the DSS, Najeeb Murtala (ASI) of the Nigeria Immigration Service, and Musa Adamu and Salihu Victor of Aviation Security.
The DSS claimed the officers admitted receiving bribes to grant unauthorised access to restricted airport areas and obstruct a lawful security operation.
“They have all confessed to receiving bribes to facilitate unauthorized entry into Restricted Areas, to obstruct lawful security operation in an unprecedented manner.
“They have been handed over to Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) for prosecution.
“Others from NIS and NCS whose involvement is not criminal; that is, did not receive bribe, but abuse their uniforms to facilitate unauthorized access, will face administrative action.”
El-Rufai has consistently denied the allegations against him. He insists the actions taken against him amount to political persecution.