DSS Detains Five Officers Over El-Rufai Airport Incident

On February 12, 2026, five security officers were detained by the Department of State Services (DSS) in connection with an incident involving former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja. The officers include Ayuba Yakubu (ASP, Police), Murtala Inuwa (DSS), Najeeb Murtala (Nigeria Immigration Service), Musa Adamu (Aviation Security), and Salihu Victor (Aviation Security).

This action followed a joint investigation by the DSS, Nigeria Immigration Service, and Nigeria Customs Service. El-Rufai's spokesperson, Muyiwa Adekey, reported that security operatives attempted to arrest El-Rufai upon his arrival, seizing his international passport during the incident.

El-Rufai has filed a N1 billion lawsuit against the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) for an alleged unlawful search of his residence on February 19, 2026. The case is scheduled for further mention on March 11, 2026, with Justice Joyc Abdulmalik presiding.