A dramatic security confrontation unfolded at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on Thursday, as former Kaduna State governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, resisted an alleged arrest attempt by plain-clothed operatives minutes after arriving from Cairo.
Video clips circulating widely on social media captured the former governor in a tense exchange with security personnel at the arrival terminal. El-Rufai was heard firmly rejecting demands to accompany the operatives, insisting on strict adherence to due process.
“Listen, nobody, not even the President, will tell me what to do. If you want to invite me, send a letter,” El-Rufai was heard saying, as operatives struggled to persuade him to leave the public area.
The agency behind the move remained unconfirmed, though a statement from El-Rufai’s legal team pointed to the Department of State Services.
Tensions escalated when operatives allegedly seized El-Rufai’s international passport from an aide—an action his lawyers have described as unlawful and unconstitutional.
An aide to the former governor, Muyiwa Adekeye, confirmed the incident, alleging that operatives targeted El-Rufai immediately after he disembarked from Egypt Air flight MS 877.
“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,” Adekeye said. “They, however, snatched his passport from an aide.”
In a strongly worded statement, El-Rufai’s legal counsel, the Chambers of Ubong Akpan, described the attempted arrest as unlawful, unconstitutional, and a flagrant abuse of power.
The lawyers disclosed that an invitation from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission had been delivered to El-Rufai’s residence while he was abroad, making immediate compliance impossible. They said formal correspondence had been exchanged with the EFCC since December 2025, assuring the commission that El-Rufai would honour the invitation upon return.
According to the legal team, the EFCC was specifically 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 read.
The lawyers further alleged that DSS operatives attempted the arrest without presenting any warrant or written invitation.
“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,” they added.
Describing the passport seizure as theft and a violation of fundamental rights, the legal team cited several sections of the 1999 Constitution, including rights to personal liberty, dignity, freedom of movement, fair hearing, and property ownership.
The lawyers demanded the immediate return of El-Rufai’s passport, an end to what they described as unlawful attempts to detain him, and a formal apology from the agencies involved. They also warned of legal action to ensure accountability.
Neither the DSS nor the EFCC had issued an official response as of Thursday night.
El-Rufai had tweeted on Wednesday of his impending arrest by security operatives.
#ElRufai #DSS #EFCC #AbujaAirport #DueProcess #NigeriaPolitics #AirportArrest #RespectRuleOfLaw