₦airaland Forum

Tense moment as Mallam Nasir El-Rufai and his supporters depart Abuja Airport after an altercation with security operatives. pic.twitter.com/s9p8S0IVxJ

— Very Nigerian (@theverynigerian) February 12, 2026

Former Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, was allegedly confronted by security operatives upon his arrival from Cairo, according to his Media Adviser, Muyiwa Adekeye.

In a statement released on Thursday, Adekeye claimed that security agents attempted to arrest the former governor at the airport but that he declined to accompany them in the absence of a formal invitation or warrant.

“Security agents today attempted to arrest Malam Nasir elrufai as he arrived on a flight from Cairo. Malam El-Rufai declined to follow them without a formal Invitation. They however snatched his passport from an aide,” the statement read.

As of the time of filing this report, there has been no official confirmation or response from any security agency regarding the alleged incident.

The development comes shortly after El-Rufai publicly stated that he believed he could be arrested at any time by the Federal Government.

In an interview with BBC Hausa earlier this week, the former governor, now a prominent figure in the opposition African Democratic Congress (ADC), alleged that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) was exerting pressure on politicians to either align with the party or remain loyal to it.

El-Rufai, who governed Kaduna State for eight years under the APC platform, has in recent months become increasingly critical of President Bola Tinubu’s administration and the ruling party.

He also disclosed during the BBC interview that several of his associates had already been detained, fueling speculation about escalating political tensions between the former governor and the APC-led government.

InfoGuru118:
https://verynigerian.com/breaking-el-rufai-escapes-arrest-as-security-operatives-snatches-his-passport-at-airport-aide-claims/

Previous Thread; https://www.nairaland.com/8617209/security-agents-attempted-arrest-el-rufai

“Listen nobody, not even the president will tell me I have to do something”

- Mallam El-Rufai to security operative. pic.twitter.com/8lcB93hvNg

— Mal. Imran U. Wakili (PULLO) 👑 #iSTANDWITHELRUFAI (@IU_Wakilii) February 12, 2026

Putindbutt:
We don't need him arrested at the airport, we need him detained when he reports himself at the EFCC office. His passport seized, that's just one step out of many. Prepare his bed beside Malami.

verifywithme:
It is well with Nigeria... Peter Obi all the way

Tenses:
If them born you and tinubu well. Try am.

frog12:
so na him supporters stop the arrest

Zezco:
Abeg arrest that ingrate.

Putindbutt:
We don't need him arrested at the airport, we need him detained when he reports himself at the EFCC office t explain where he kept $350m world bank loan he collected.

His passport has been seized, that's just one step out of many. Prepare his bed beside Malami, they will be in jail till 2031.

DeltaBachelor:
Okay. I guess everything is settled now right ?

Zezco:
Abeg arrest that ingrate.

verifywithme:
It is well with Nigeria... Peter Obi all the way

AMINDA:
That still won't save Tinubu come 2027. He will have to cancel elections and declare himself a dictator.

Putindbutt:
Don't worry, hand go soon touch your Gbajue too.