The allegation was made by El-Rufai’s Media Adviser, Muyiwa Adekeye, who shared the account on his verified X (formerly Twitter) handle
Security operatives on Thursday reportedly tried to arrest former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, shortly after he arrived from Cairo, Egypt.
The allegation was made by El-Rufai’s Media Adviser, Muyiwa Adekeye, who shared the account on his verified X (formerly Twitter) handle.
Adekeye claimed that security agents approached El-Rufai as he disembarked from his flight and attempted to take him into custody.
The former governor, however, allegedly refused to comply, insisting that he would not accompany them without a formal invitation or official warrant.
“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,” Adekeye wrote.
He further alleged that during the confrontation, the operatives seized El-Rufai’s international passport from one of his aides. “They, however, snatched his passport from an aide,” he added.
As of filing this report, security agencies have yet to issue an official statement regarding the incident.
The development follows El-Rufai’s warning on Wednesday that he could be arrested at any moment, describing a widening crackdown on opposition figures. In an interview with BBC Hausa, he noted that the detention of four of his associates in Kaduna signalled that he might be next.
Although he confirmed that he had not been arrested, El-Rufai said the political atmosphere in the country had become increasingly hostile to opposition politicians.
The former governor recently defected from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), aligning with a coalition opposing President Bola Tinubu ahead of upcoming elections.
El-Rufai has also publicly distanced himself from Tinubu, insisting that they never had a personal relationship. In a recent interview, he said his support for Tinubu in the 2023 presidential election was based solely on party principles and internal APC arrangements, not friendship.
He added that although he had been offered a ministerial position, he would have declined due to deep philosophical and governance differences.
“I am in government for delivery, for results and performance. Public service is not about making money for yourself, it’s not about stealing, it’s not about appointing your cronies or your tribesmen,” he said, emphasising that the current administration’s philosophy conflicts with his own.
Thursday’s alleged airport drama has further heightened tensions between El-Rufai and the Federal Government, raising questions about whether his fears of imminent arrest will soon be realised.
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