Five security personnel have been arrested and are set to face prosecution over their alleged roles in a security breach at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport on February 12, 2026, in an incident authorities say involved former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, authorities confirmed that the arrests followed a joint investigation into what was described as a serious compromise of airport security protocols.
The investigation was conducted by the Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), and the Federal Ministry of Aviation.
According to the statement, five officers were detained at the conclusion of the probe. They were identified as Ayuba Yakubu (ASP) – Police; Murtala Inuwa – DSS; Najeeb Murtala (ASI) – NIS; Musa Adamu – Aviation Security; and Salihu Victor – AVSEC.
Authorities alleged that the officers confessed to receiving bribes to facilitate unauthorised access to restricted airport areas and to obstruct lawful security operations.
The suspects have since been handed over to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) for prosecution.
The statement further noted that other personnel from the NIS and NCS whose actions were deemed non-criminal — but who allegedly abused their official positions to grant unauthorised access — would face administrative sanctions.
The development is tied to a chain of events involving El-Rufai.
On February 12, 2026, security operatives reportedly attempted to arrest him upon his arrival from Cairo at the Abuja airport. His passport was said to have been seized, while he allegedly declined to accompany operatives without the presentation of a warrant.
Between February 16 and 18, El-Rufai was detained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over allegations of misappropriating ₦432 billion during his tenure as governor of Kaduna State.
Shortly after he was granted administrative bail by the EFCC, he was rearrested by ICPC operatives between February 18 and 19 and has remained in custody.
In subsequent developments, ICPC operatives searched his residence on Aso Drive, Abuja — a move his legal team described as unlawful and a violation of his rights.
The DSS also filed a three-count charge against El-Rufai over allegations of wiretapping the phone lines of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, following remarks El-Rufai made during a televised interview.
Authorities say investigations and prosecutions connected to the airport breach and related allegations are ongoing.
