Security agents allegedly tried to arrest former Kaduna Governor Nasir El-Rufai at the airport, seizing his passport after he refused to comply

Security agents reportedly attempted to arrest former Kaduna State Governor Malam Nasir El-Rufai on Thursday upon his arrival at the airport from Cairo.

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Muyiwa Adekeye, Media Adviser to El-Rufai, alleged in a statement that the former governor declined to accompany the agents without a formal invitation, after which they seized his international passport from an aide.

“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,” Adekeye stated.

No official response has been provided by the security agencies involved, and it remains unclear under what authority the attempted arrest took place.

The incident has sparked concern among political observers, who note the potential implications for political figures returning from abroad amid heightened scrutiny by security operatives.

El-Rufai served as Kaduna State governor from 2015 to 2023 and remains an influential figure in Nigerian politics.

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Observers are calling for clarification from relevant authorities to prevent any escalation or misinterpretation of the event, particularly in the context of civil liberties and procedural norms at the airport.