El-Rufai: DSS Detains Five Over Airport Incident

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.

Those arrested are: Ayuba Yakubu (ASP), a police officer; Murtala Inuwa of the DSS; Najeeb Murtala (ASI) of the Nigeria Immigration Service; Musa Adamu of Aviation Security (AVSEC); and Salihu Victor of 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.

The 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

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.

According to findings of the investigation made available by one of the agencies on Tuesday, the officers allegedly confessed to receiving bribes to facilitate unauthorised 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 unauthorised access, would face administrative sanctions.

“They have all confessed to receiving bribes to facilitate unauthorised 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 unauthorised access, will face administrative action,” the report added.