The Department of State Services (DSS) has arrested several security operatives for allegedly facilitating the return of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir el-Rufai to Nigeria on February 12, 2026, despite an attempted arrest at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
The operatives reportedly accepted bribes to allow el-Rufai’s unauthorized entry into restricted areas, obstructing a lawful security operation.
After a joint investigation involving the DSS, Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), and Federal Ministry of Aviation, five officers were detained:
– Ayuba YAKUBU (ASP) – Police
– Murtala Inuwa – DSS
– Najeeb MURTALA (ASI) – NIS
– Musa ADAMU – Aviation Security (AVSEC)
– Salihu VICTOR – AVSEC
All five confessed to receiving bribes to enable the breach.
They have been handed over to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) for prosecution.
Additional NIS and NCS personnel whose involvement was non-criminal (no bribes received but abuse of uniform to facilitate access) will face administrative sanctions.
El-Rufai’s spokesman, Muyiwa Adekeye, had earlier reported that security agents attempted to arrest him upon arrival from Cairo but failed. They seized his passport from an aide.
El-Rufai honoured an EFCC invitation three days later and has remained in detention since, first with the EFCC, then transferred to the ICPC.
The DSS filed criminal charges against him for allegedly intercepting National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu’s communications, but could not arraign him on February 25 because he was in ICPC custody.
El-Rufai has denied wrongdoing, accusing authorities of a witch-hunt.
