The Nasir El-Rufai attempted arrest at Abuja airport has generated public attention after claims emerged that security operatives tried to detain the former Kaduna State governor upon his arrival in Abuja.
Titansloaded reports that the incident allegedly occurred at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport shortly after Nasir El-Rufai returned from Cairo, Egypt. His media aide, Muyiwa Adekeye, stated that security personnel approached him and requested that he follow them without presenting a formal arrest warrant.
According to the aide, El-Rufai declined the request on the grounds that no official documentation or written invitation was provided. He further alleged that operatives later confiscated the former governor’s international passport through one of his aides during the encounter.
Legal counsel to El-Rufai, Ubong Akpan, described the development as a breach of constitutional rights. He alleged that operatives linked to the Department of State Services attempted to detain his client without following due legal procedures.
Akpan also disclosed that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission had earlier sent an invitation to El-Rufai in December 2025 while he was outside Nigeria. The legal team reportedly responded, informing the commission that the former governor would honour the invitation on February 16, 2026.
Despite the prior communication, the lawyer maintained that the attempted detention was unnecessary and unlawful. He called for the immediate return of El-Rufai’s passport and urged authorities to respect due process in handling the matter.
The Nasir El-Rufai attempted arrest at Abuja airport comes amid heightened political discourse following his recent criticisms of the current administration. As of press time, security agencies involved have yet to issue an official response to the allegations.
