Five Security Officers Arrested for Accepting Bribes in Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport Breach Involving El-Rufai
In a significant development, five security officers have been arrested and are set to face prosecution for their alleged involvement in a major security breach at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja. The incident, which occurred on February 12, 2026, is linked to former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, according to authorities.
Joint Investigation Leads to Arrests
Following a joint investigation conducted by multiple agencies, including the Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), and the Federal Ministry of Aviation, the officers were detained. An official statement titled "Arrest and Prosecution of Security Officers Compromised by Nasir El-Rufai at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport for the 12th February 2026 Security Breach" confirmed the arrests and subsequent legal actions.
The arrested officers have been identified as:
- Ayuba Yakubu (ASP) – Police
- Murtala Inuwa – DSS
- Najeeb Murtala (ASI) – NIS
- Musa Adamu – Aviation Security
- Salihu Victor – AVSEC
Admissions of Misconduct and Prosecution
Authorities stated that the officers have admitted to receiving bribes to facilitate unauthorized entry into restricted areas and to obstruct lawful security operations in an unprecedented manner. The suspects have been handed over to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) for prosecution.
Meanwhile, other personnel from the NIS and NCS, whose involvement was deemed non-criminal but who allegedly abused their uniforms to enable unauthorized access, will face administrative sanctions.
Connection to Nasir El-Rufai
The security breach is part of a chain of events involving El-Rufai. On February 12, security operatives reportedly attempted to arrest him upon his arrival from Cairo at the Abuja airport. His passport was seized, and he allegedly refused to accompany the operatives without a warrant.
Subsequently, between February 16 and 18, El-Rufai was apprehended by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on charges of mismanaging ₦432 billion during his tenure as governor of Kaduna State. Although he secured administrative bail from the EFCC, he was quickly rearrested by ICPC operatives between February 18 and 19 and has remained in their custody since.
In a related development, ICPC operatives searched El-Rufai's Abuja residence on Aso Drive, an action his legal team denounced as unlawful and a violation of his fundamental rights. Additionally, the DSS has brought a three-count charge against him, stemming from allegations that he wiretapped the phone lines of National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, following comments El-Rufai made during a recent television interview.
