Five Security Operatives Detained, To Face Prosecution Over Breach at Abuja Airport During el-Rufai’s Arrival
Five security personnel have been detained and handed over for prosecution following a joint investigation into a security breach at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport during the February 12 arrival of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir el-Rufai, from Cairo.
The probe, conducted by the Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), and the Federal Ministry of Aviation, reportedly uncovered what officials described as a serious compromise of airport security protocols.
Those detained include Ayuba Yakubu, an Assistant Superintendent of Police; Murtala Inuwa of the DSS; Najeeb Murtala, an Assistant Superintendent of Immigration; and two Aviation Security (AVSEC) officers, Musa Adamu and Salihu Victor.
According to findings by the joint investigative panel, the officers allegedly admitted to receiving bribes to facilitate unauthorised access into restricted areas of the airport and to obstruct lawful security procedures.
A source familiar with the investigation disclosed that the suspects confessed to actions that undermined established security architecture by granting improper access and interfering with official operations.
The officers have since been transferred to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) for prosecution.
Meanwhile, other personnel from the NIS and NCS found to have misused their official uniforms to aid unauthorised access — though not directly implicated in bribery — will face administrative sanctions in line with civil service regulations.
The incident followed a brief standoff at the airport when security operatives reportedly attempted to arrest el-Rufai upon his return from Cairo. The former governor was said to have resisted the move, leading to a tense exchange before he was eventually allowed to leave.
The attempted arrest was reportedly initiated by the ICPC as part of an ongoing investigation into alleged financial misconduct during el-Rufai’s tenure as governor. He is currently in the custody of the anti-corruption agency.
