Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has accused the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, of allegedly instructing security agencies to abduct him and secretly monitor his communications, along with those of other top government officials.
El-Rufai made the claims during an appearance on Arise TV’s Prime Time programme on Friday, describing an attempted unlawful detention upon his return to Nigeria on Thursday.
According to him, Ribadu directed anti-corruption and security operatives to take him into custody. “Nuhu made the call and gave the order that I must be in custody yesterday,” El-Rufai stated. He added that officials routinely intercept communications without judicial approval.
He further alleged that the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) procured the Department of State Services (DSS) to abduct him, describing the move as a personal tool of Ribadu. “They met the NSA, the Governor of Kaduna, and the ICPC Chairman, and decided that I must be abducted, not arrested,” he said, emphasizing that no lawful warrant authorized his detention.
El-Rufai recounted that DSS operatives attempted to detain him at the airport shortly after his arrival. He said about 50 DSS officers were deployed with instructions to abduct him, but he insisted on a formal letter of invitation before complying. Passengers and supporters at the airport reportedly intervened, preventing the alleged abduction.
He also claimed that his aide was assaulted and had his passport seized. El-Rufai clarified that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was not involved in the incident, noting that he had already responded to their correspondence while abroad and had scheduled visits to both EFCC and ICPC following his return.
Warning of the broader implications, El-Rufai said that the alleged misuse of security agencies could undermine public trust and potentially destabilize the nation. “Once people lose confidence in the neutrality of such institutions, we are on our way to anarchy,” he cautioned.
