El-Rufai Claims Security Agents Tried to Detain Him in Abuja

Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai was reportedly confronted by security operatives on Thursday shortly after landing at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, from Cairo, Egypt.

The allegation was disclosed by his Media Adviser, Muyiwa Adekeye, in a post shared on his verified X account. Adekeye claimed that security personnel approached El-Rufai as he arrived from his flight with the intention of taking him into custody.

According to him, the former governor refused to comply, insisting that he would not submit himself to any action without an official summons. “Security agents attempted to arrest Malam Nasir El-Rufai upon his arrival from Cairo,” Adekeye wrote. “He declined to go with them, demanding a formal invitation.”

The aide further alleged that during the encounter, operatives confiscated El-Rufai’s passport from one of his aides.

The development comes amid El-Rufai’s recent claims that he could soon face arrest by the Federal Government. In an interview with BBC Hausa, the former governor expressed fears that he may be targeted, citing what he described as increasing political pressure on opposition figures.

El-Rufai, who recently left the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the African Democratic Congress (ADC), revealed that several of his former associates in Kaduna had already been detained.

“Four of those we worked with in Kaduna have been arrested. It may only be a matter of time before they come for me,” he said.

While noting that he had not been arrested, El-Rufai suggested that the actions taken against his allies could signal possible moves against him. He also alleged that politicians were being pressured to either defect to the ruling APC or remain aligned with it.