Security operatives reportedly seized the international passport of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai on Thursday, February 12, 2026, following a failed attempt to take him into custody.
According to his media adviser, Muyiwa Adekeye, the incident occurred at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja shortly after El-Rufai arrived on a flight from Cairo, Egypt.
Key Details of the Encounter
Refusal of Arrest: El-Rufai declined to follow the security agents, insisting he would not do so without a formal invitation.
Passport Seizure: When the arrest attempt failed, operatives allegedly snatched the former governor’s passport from one of his aides.
Legal Position: El-Rufai’s legal team has condemned the move as “arbitrary conduct,” noting they had already informed authorities he would voluntarily appear on Monday, February 16, 2026.
Context and Background
Political Shift: El-Rufai recently joined the opposition African Democratic Congress (ADC) and has become a vocal critic of the President Bola Tinubu administration.
Prior Warnings: Just a day before the incident, El-Rufai stated in a BBC Hausa interview that he expected to be targeted, noting that four of his former associates in Kaduna had already been arrested.
Ongoing Investigations: The Kaduna State House of Assembly had previously recommended his prosecution for alleged abuse of office and financial misconduct during his tenure.
As of Thursday evening, no official statement has been released by the Department of State Services (DSS) or the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) regarding the airport encounter
