Arrests in Connection with Nasir El-Rufai’s Return to Nigeria
The Department of State Services has arrested five security operatives in connection with events surrounding the return of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, to Nigeria from Egypt on February 12, 2026. The individuals detained include:
- Ayuba Yakubu (ASP) – a police officer
- Murtala Inuwa – from the DSS
- Najeeb Murtala (ASI) – from the Nigeria Immigration Service
- Musa Adamu – from Aviation Security (AVSEC)
- Salihu Victor – also from AVSEC
The arrests followed a joint investigation conducted by the DSS, the Nigeria Immigration Service, the Nigeria Customs Service, and the Federal Ministry of Aviation.
This development comes as the fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by El-Rufai against the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, and others, was stalled at the Federal High Court in Abuja due to the absence of counsel for the respondents.
Incident at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport
On February 12, operatives of the DSS reportedly attempted to arrest El-Rufai upon his arrival at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, but were unsuccessful. Spokesperson to the former governor, Muyiwa Adekeye, disclosed that security operatives allegedly seized El-Rufai’s international passport during the incident.
In a post on X, Adekeye stated that the former governor declined to accompany the operatives without a formal invitation, after which his passport was taken from an aide.
Three days after the airport incident, El-Rufai honoured an invitation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. He has remained in the custody of the ICPC since his release by the EFCC.
Findings of the Investigation
According to findings of the investigation made available by one of the agencies on Tuesday, the officers allegedly confessed to receiving bribes to facilitate unauthorized entry into restricted areas of the airport and to obstruct lawful security operations.
The report read: “At the end of a joint investigation by the Department of State Services, the Nigeria Immigration Service, the Nigeria Customs Service and the Federal Ministry of Aviation, five officers have been detained. They are: (i) Ayuba YAKUBU (ASP) – POLICE, (ii) Murtala Inuwa – DSS, (iii) Najeeb Murtala (ASI) – NIS, (iv) Musa Adamu – Aviation Security (AVSEC) and (v) Salihu Victor – AVSEC.”
The service said the five officers had been handed over to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission for prosecution. Meanwhile, other personnel from the NIS and NCS whose involvement was found to be non-criminal, but who allegedly abused their uniforms to facilitate unauthorized access, would face administrative sanctions.
“They have all confessed to receiving bribes to facilitate unauthorized entry into Restricted Areas, to obstruct lawful security operations in an unprecedented manner. They have been handed over to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission for prosecution. Others from NIS and NCS whose involvement is not criminal; that is, did not receive a bribe, but abused their uniforms to facilitate unauthorized access, will face administrative action,” the report added.
Rights Suit Hangs
In the N1bn rights suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/345/2026, before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, El-Rufai was seeking damages over what he described as an unlawful search of his Abuja residence. When the matter was called, only Ubong Akpan appeared in court for the applicant. However, there was no representation for the respondents.
Akpan informed the court that although the case was slated for mention, the respondents had yet to be served with the court processes. He, therefore, sought an adjournment to enable proper service. Justice Abdulmalik subsequently adjourned the matter until March 11 for further mention.
El-Rufai had dragged the ICPC, the Chief Magistrate of the Magistrate’s Court of the Federal Capital Territory, the Inspector-General of Police, and the Attorney-General of the Federation to court as 1st to 4th respondents, respectively.
In the originating motion dated and filed on February 20 by his lead counsel, Oluwole Iyamu (SAN), the former governor is praying the court to declare that the search warrant issued on February 4 by the Chief Magistrate of the FCT Magistrate’s Court authorising the search and seizure at his residence is invalid, null and void.
He is also asking the court to hold that the warrant lacked particularity, contained material drafting errors, was ambiguous in its execution parameters, overbroad in scope and unsupported by probable cause, thereby amounting to an unlawful and unreasonable search contrary to Section 37 of the Constitution.
El-Rufai’s Wife Mocks ICPC Claims
Wife of ex-Governor El-Rufai, Hadiza, mocked claims by the ICPC that wiretapping equipment was recovered from their Abuja residence. In a post on X on Tuesday, she reacted to media reports quoting the ICPC as saying electronic devices capable of tapping conversations were seized during a search of their property.
“You forgot to mention that you also took away my bank tokens. I swear to God, they are not wiretapping equipment,” she wrote.
The post quoted a Monday statement by her son, Mohammed El-Rufai, who represents Kaduna North Federal Constituency, describing the claims as false and politically motivated, insisting that no “sophisticated tapping equipment” was seized during the search.
