Tension at Abuja Airport as security operatives allegedly attempt to arrest El-Rufai

Tension reportedly erupted at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport on Thursday after security operatives allegedly attempted to detain former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, immediately following his arrival from Cairo, Egypt.

The development was disclosed by El-Rufai’s Media Adviser, Muyiwa Adekeye, via a post on his verified X (formerly Twitter) account shortly after the incident.

According to Adekeye, security personnel approached the former governor as he disembarked and attempted to take him into custody.

“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,” Adekeye wrote.

He further alleged that during the confrontation, the operatives seized El-Rufai’s passport from an aide. “They, however, snatched his passport from an aide,” he added.

The incident comes amid rising political tensions surrounding El-Rufai, who in recent weeks has claimed he faces pressure and potential arrest threats following his fallout with the ruling party and key government officials.

Analysts note that such confrontations at major entry points often intensify public scrutiny and political debate. Legal expert Dr. Ifeanyi Okonkwo said, “Any attempt to detain a citizen without formal documentation or a court order raises serious constitutional questions. It also risks escalating political tensions, especially for a high-profile figure like El-Rufai.”

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Political commentator Amina Yusuf added that the episode underscores broader divisions within the country’s political elite.

“This is symptomatic of the current friction between opposition figures and elements of the ruling class. How authorities handle such situations will be closely watched by both domestic and international observers,” she said.

As of Thursday evening, there has been no official statement from the security agencies involved, and El-Rufai’s team has called for adherence to legal protocols and due process in any proceedings involving the former governor.

The development is expected to fuel ongoing discussions about political accountability, the use of security forces in politically sensitive matters, and the protection of constitutional rights for prominent political actors in Nigeria.