JUST IN: Attempted Arrest of El-Rufai at Abuja Airport Sparks Tensions
Security operatives have allegedly tried to detain former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, at the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja, shortly after he arrived from Cairo, Egypt.
The incident was confirmed by El-Rufai’s Media Adviser, Muyiwa Adekeye, who said the former governor was approached by security personnel as he disembarked from his flight and was asked to accompany them.
Adekeye stated that El-Rufai refused to go with the officers, insisting that he would not comply without a formal invitation. “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,” he said.
The aide further alleged that the operatives seized El-Rufai’s passport during the encounter. “They, however, snatched his passport from an aide,” Adekeye added.
This development comes after El-Rufai had earlier expressed fears of possible detention by the Federal Government, citing a series of political intimidations against opposition figures.
In a recent interview with BBC Hausa, El-Rufai warned that he could be targeted next, following the arrests of some of his close associates in Kaduna State. “Four people we worked together in Kaduna have been arrested; so it’s only a matter of time before they come for me too,” he said.
He said the current political climate was forcing many politicians to make decisions for survival rather than conviction, highlighting the pressure on politicians to either remain within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) or defect to other parties.
El-Rufai, who governed Kaduna State for eight years under the APC, has recently intensified his criticism of the party and President Bola Tinubu’s administration after defecting to the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
The former governor’s warnings follow the arrest and ongoing trial of Abubakar Malami, a former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, who was accused by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission of abuse of office, money laundering, and later, terrorism financing.
Malami, like El-Rufai, defected to the ADC and is seeking a governorship ticket in Kebbi State for 2027. He has described the allegations against him as politically motivated, linked to his opposition stance and defection.
Observers note that these incidents reflect growing tensions in the political landscape, with opposition figures alleging targeted actions and intimidation by the ruling party.
Adekeye’s account underscores the heightened sense of caution among opposition leaders, as El-Rufai navigates the political environment while avoiding direct confrontation with federal security agencies.
As of the time of reporting, neither the Nigerian Immigration Service nor the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria has issued an official statement regarding the alleged attempted arrest.
El-Rufai’s team has called for clarity on the matter and demanded assurances of his safety while urging security agencies to follow due process.
The episode has sparked reactions on social media, with supporters condemning what they describe as politically motivated harassment.
Political analysts say the incident could further polarize the opposition landscape ahead of the 2027 general elections, raising concerns over political freedom and civil liberties.
The attempted arrest also adds to a pattern of high-profile detentions and investigations that have targeted defectors from the APC, heightening tensions in Nigeria’s political discourse.
El-Rufai’s move to the ADC is seen as a strategic effort to build a credible opposition platform in the north, where his political influence remains strong.
The former governor’s office reiterated that all engagements with security agencies must be formal and transparent to avoid escalation.
With elections approaching, observers believe the situation at Abuja Airport reflects wider concerns over political intimidation and the role of federal security agencies in partisan matters.
The development continues to unfold, with stakeholders calling for calm, adherence to legal processes, and protection of constitutional rights for all political actors.
The Royal Times will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as more information becomes available.