The Department of State Services (DSS) has arrested five security operatives allegedly involved in the return of former Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, to Nigeria from Egypt on February 12. The arrests follow a failed attempt to detain the former governor at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
According to DSS sources, El-Rufai’s passport was seized during the botched arrest attempt after he reportedly declined to cooperate without a formal invitation. Muyiwa Adekeye, the former governor’s spokesperson, confirmed the incident on social media, stating:
“Security agents today attempted to arrest Malam Nasir@elrufai as he arrived on a flight from Cairo. Malam El-Rufai declined to follow them without a formal invitation. They, however, snatched his international passport from an aide.”
El-Rufai later complied with an invitation from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) three days after his return, remaining in detention during the agency’s three-day interrogation before being granted bail. Shortly afterward, he was taken into custody by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
In a statement updating the situation, the DSS alleged that El-Rufai bribed some security operatives to facilitate his unauthorized entry into Nigeria, though it clarified that not all officers involved personally received bribes.
“At the end of a joint investigation by the Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), and Federal Ministry of Aviation, five officers have been detained,” the agency said.
The arrested officers are:
- ASP Ayuba Yakubu – Police
- Murtala Inuwa – DSS
- ASI Najeeb Murtala – NIS
- Musa Adamu – Aviation Security (AVSEC)
- Salihu Victor – AVSEC
The DSS added:
“They have all confessed to receiving bribes to facilitate unauthorized entry into restricted areas and obstruct lawful security operations in an unprecedented manner. They have been handed over to ICPC for prosecution.”
Other personnel from NIS and NCS who allegedly abused their uniforms but did not accept bribes are set to face administrative sanctions.
Meanwhile, El-Rufai continues to maintain his innocence, describing the ongoing investigations as a politically motivated “witch-hunt” by the current administration.
