Security agents on Thursday allegedly attempted to arrest former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, upon his arrival at the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja, from Cairo, Egypt.
The claim was made by El-Rufai’s Media Adviser, Muyiwa Adekeye, in a post on his verified X (formerly Twitter) handle shortly after the incident.
According to Adekeye, the operatives approached the former governor as he disembarked from his flight and sought to take him into custody.
He said El-Rufai declined to accompany the agents, insisting that he would not honour the request without a formal invitation.
The statement read, “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 further alleged that the security personnel seized the former governor’s passport during the encounter.
“They, however, snatched his passport from an aide,” he added.
Earlier on Wednesday El-Rufai had alleged that he could be arrested by the Federal Government, claiming that recent developments indicate he may be the next target.
El-Rufai made the allegation during an interview with BBC Hausa, expressing concerns over what he described as growing political intimidation against opposition figures.
The former governor, who recently defected from the ruling All Progressives Congress to the African Democratic Congress, said some of his close associates had already been detained.
“Four people we worked together in Kaduna have been arrested; so it’s only a matter of time before they come for me too,” he said.
Although he stated that he had not yet been arrested, El-Rufai suggested that the arrests of his associates signalled possible action against him.
READ ALSO: I was never Tinubu’s friend, we are different people, parallel lines that will never meet – El-Rufai
He further alleged that political pressure was being mounted on politicians to either defect to the APC or remain within the ruling party.
According to him, the current political climate was forcing individuals to make decisions, not out of conviction but survival.
Confirming the incident, El-Rufai’s lawyer, Nasir El-Rufai, accused security operatives of attempting to unlawfully arrest his client
In a statement dated February 12, 2026, and signed by Ubong Akpan of the Chambers of Ubong Akpan, the lawyer said operatives moved against El-Rufai shortly after he landed aboard Egypt Air flight MS 877 from Cairo.
Akpan said, “We unequivocally condemn the attempted illegal arrest of our client by security operatives this afternoon upon his arrival in Abuja. This is a flagrant violation of constitutional rights, executive overreach, and a deliberate disregard for the rule of law.”
According to the lawyer, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission had earlier sent an invitation to El-Rufai while he was already outside the country, describing the move as unreasonable and impractical.
“The invitation from the EFCC was delivered to Malam El-Rufai’s residence while he was already abroad, rendering it inherently illogical to demand immediate attendance.
“We formally communicated with the EFCC since December 2025, assuring compliance upon his return.”
He added that the commission had been notified that El-Rufai would appear voluntarily.
“Yesterday, we explicitly informed them that he would appear at their 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,” he stated.
Akpan alleged that operatives of the Department of State Services attempted to arrest El-Rufai without presenting any warrant or formal invitation.
“Upon his arrival, security operatives moved to arrest Malam El-Rufai without presenting any warrant or letter. When he demanded to see the invitation, none could be produced — no document, no signed directive, no lawful process,” the lawyer said.
The lawyer further accused the security operatives of seizing El-Rufai’s passport, saying that passengers and airport users intervened during the incident.
“In the same unlawful manner, operatives physically snatched his international passport. This act is nothing short of stealing — the unlawful taking of private property by agents of the state acting without colour of authority.
“Ordinary Nigerians present at the airport, incensed by this display, surrounded the scene and insisted loudly that he could only be arrested upon a legitimate process.
“That citizens had to remind security operatives of the Constitution is both shameful and instructive,” he said.
Akpan argued that the attempted arrest violated several constitutional provisions, including the rights to personal liberty, fair hearing, dignity of the human person, freedom of movement and property ownership.
“There exists no justifiable basis for this attempted arrest or the accompanying mistreatment,” he said, adding that El-Rufai returned to Nigeria despite alleged intelligence of plans to intercept him.
“This premeditated interception at the airport exemplifies lawlessness and an abuse of state power,” the statement read.
The counsel demanded an immediate halt to any effort to detain El-Rufai and the successful return of his passport.
“We demand the immediate and unconditional cessation of all unlawful efforts to detain Malam El-Rufai, the immediate return of his stolen passport, and a formal apology for this egregious infringement on his dignity and rights,” Akpan said.
The lawyer also stressed that El-Rufai will honour, without preconditions, all legitimate law-enforcement summons.
“Let it be publicly clear: Malam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai will never take the cowardly route of running away from law enforcement. He will honour, without preconditions, all legitimate law-enforcement summons,” he stated.
Akpan noted that legal action would be taken against those responsible for the attempted arrest of the former governor.
“Legal action will be pursued against all persons and agencies responsible for this unconstitutional conduct. The judiciary remains the ultimate arbiter, and we shall seek redress through all available legal channels to protect the sanctity of the law,” he said.
El-Rufai, who governed Kaduna State for eight years under the APC platform, has in recent times intensified his criticism of President Bola Tinubu’s administration and the party’s leadership.
His comments come amid the arrest and ongoing trial of a former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission had accused Malami of offences including abuse of office and money laundering.
The Department of State Service later rearrested him over fresh allegations related to terrorism financing.
Malami, who also defected to the ADC and is eyeing a governorship seat in Kebbi State in 2027, had denied all allegations, describing the charges as a “political witch-hunt” linked to his defection and opposition stance.
The Nigerian Immigration Service and the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria have yet to officially respond to El-Rufai’s attempted arrest as of the time of filing this report.