Authorities have apprehended five security personnel following a serious security breach at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), Abuja, involving former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai.
The arrests come weeks after security operatives attempted to detain El-Rufai on February 12, 2026, shortly after his arrival from Cairo, Egypt, on Egypt Air flight MS 877, DAILY POST reports.
Who Was Arrested
The suspects, now facing prosecution, include:
- ASP Ayuba Yakubu – Nigeria Police Force
- Murtala Inuwa – Department of State Services (DSS)
- Najeeb Murtala – Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS)
- Musa Adamu – Aviation Security personnel
- Salihu Victor – Aviation Security personnel
A joint investigation by the Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), and the Federal Ministry of Aviation revealed that the officers allegedly received bribes to grant unauthorised access to restricted airport areas and to interfere with lawful security procedures.
Investigators described the breach as a grave insider threat to critical national infrastructure.
Prosecution and Disciplinary Measures
The arrested officers have been handed over to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) for prosecution.
Other Immigration and Customs personnel who were found to have misused their official uniforms to facilitate unauthorised access, but were not deemed criminally liable, will face internal disciplinary measures.
Authorities emphasised that the arrests reflect a zero-tolerance policy toward internal compromise within Nigeria’s aviation security system.
