Today, Thursday, February 12, 2026, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, former Governor of Kaduna State, was subjected to an attempted arrest by security operatives upon his arrival at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, from Cairo, Egypt.
According to Muyiwa Adekeye, Media Adviser to Malam El-Rufai, security agents approached the former governor shortly after he disembarked from his flight and attempted to take him into custody. Malam El-Rufai declined to accompany the operatives without a formal invitation or proper legal documentation, emphasizing the need for due process.
In the course of the encounter, which caused a momentary commotion at the airport, the operatives reportedly snatched Malam El-Rufai's international passport from one of his aides.
The full statement from Muyiwa Adekeye reads: “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.
They, however, snatched his passport from an aide.” This incident raises serious concerns about adherence to the rule of law, respect for constitutional rights, and the proper procedures for inviting or engaging citizens, including high-profile individuals.
Malam El-Rufai remains committed to upholding democratic principles and expects that any legitimate inquiries or invitations from authorities be conducted transparently and in accordance with established legal protocols.
No official statement has been issued by the relevant security agencies regarding the incident as of the time of this release.
Malam Nasir El-Rufai and his team are monitoring developments closely and will take appropriate steps to address this matter, including seeking the immediate return of the seized passport and clarification on the circumstances surrounding the attempted arrest.