Tension erupted at Abuja airport as security operatives attempted to arrest Nasir El-Rufai despite prior communication with authorities. What truly happened? Click to read the full explosive details.
A dramatic scene unfolded at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on Thursday, February 12, 2026, as security operatives allegedly failed in their attempt to arrest former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, upon his arrival from Cairo.
El-Rufai’s legal team has now broken silence — condemning what they described as an unlawful, unconstitutional and premeditated move to detain their client despite prior communication with authorities.
According to a strongly worded statement issued by Ubong Esop Akpan of the Chambers of Ubong Akpan, El-Rufai arrived in Abuja aboard Egypt Air flight MS 877 from Cairo when operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) allegedly moved to intercept and arrest him.
However, the arrest attempt reportedly stalled after operatives failed to present any arrest warrant or formal letter of invitation.
The lawyers insist that when El-Rufai calmly demanded to see the legal basis for the action, none was produced.
“No document, no signed directive, no lawful process. There was only raw power, unclothed by law,” the statement declared.
The situation escalated further when operatives allegedly seized his international passport — an act the lawyers described as unlawful confiscation of private property.
The controversy deepened as the legal team revealed that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission had previously sent an invitation to El-Rufai while he was outside the country.
According to counsel, the invitation was delivered to his residence at a time when he was already abroad, making immediate compliance practically impossible.
The lawyers said they had been in formal communication with the Commission since December 2025, assuring cooperation upon his return. More specifically, they notified the EFCC that El-Rufai would voluntarily appear at the Commission’s office by 10:00 a.m. on Monday, February 16, 2026.
The legal team argues that attempting an arrest before that agreed date amounts to executive overreach and disregard for due process.
In what observers describe as a remarkable moment, ordinary Nigerians present at the airport reportedly protested the arrest attempt, insisting that any detention must follow proper legal procedure.
The lawyers described the reaction as a powerful reminder that citizens remain committed to constitutional governance.
“That citizens had to remind security operatives of the Constitution is both shameful and instructive,” the statement noted.
El-Rufai’s counsel cited several constitutional provisions they believe were violated during the attempted arrest, including:
Section 35 – Right to Personal Liberty
Section 36 – Right to Fair Hearing
Section 34 – Right to Dignity of the Human Person
Section 41 – Freedom of Movement
Section 44 – Right to Own Property
The seizure of his passport, they argued, directly restricts his freedom of movement and constitutes unlawful deprivation of property.
The legal team made it emphatically clear that El-Rufai would honour all legitimate law enforcement summons.
In bold terms, they stated:
Malam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai will never take the cowardly route of running away from law enforcement.
He will honour, without preconditions, all legitimate summons.
They further demanded:
Immediate return of his passport
Cessation of any unlawful detention efforts
A formal apology
Legal action, they warned, will be pursued against all individuals and agencies responsible.
The attempted arrest has already triggered political debate, with analysts questioning the timing, procedure, and optics of the airport interception — particularly in light of the communicated commitment to appear before the EFCC days later.
As of press time, neither the DSS nor the EFCC had issued an official public response.
What remains clear is that Thursday’s airport confrontation has opened yet another chapter in Nigeria’s ongoing debate over executive power, due process, and constitutional safeguards.
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