Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has strongly condemned what he described as an unlawful attempt by security operatives to arrest him at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, upon his return from Cairo, Egypt.
El-Rufai made the revelation on his verified X (formerly Twitter) handle on Thursday, accusing authorities of executive overreach and a deliberate disregard for the rule of law.
“My lawyers have issued a statement that condemns the illegal attempt to arrest me today at the Abuja airport upon my arrival from Cairo. Our country must outgrow executive overreach and deliberate disregard for the rule of law,” he wrote.
According to his media aide, Muyiwa Adekeye, security operatives approached El-Rufai shortly after he landed and attempted to detain him without presenting a formal invitation or warrant. When the former governor declined to follow them without due process, the operatives allegedly seized his international passport from one of his aides before withdrawing.
“They, however, snatched his passport from an aide,” Adekeye added.
No official statement has been issued by the security agencies involved to clarify the circumstances or confirm whether El-Rufai is under investigation. The incident has reignited debate over the conduct of security agencies in Nigeria, particularly regarding opposition figures and former public office holders.
The development comes amid heightened political tensions and follows El-Rufai’s previous warnings that he could face legal actions due to his outspoken political activities. The former governor’s legal team has condemned the attempted arrest as a violation of constitutional rights, citing infringements on personal liberty, freedom of movement, and due process.
