El-Rufai Claims Ribadu Ordered His Arrest at Abuja Airport

On February 12, 2026, former governor Nasir El-Rufai alleged that Nuhu Ribadu, the National Security Adviser, ordered his arrest at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja. El-Rufai claimed that the Department of State Services (DSS) attempted to detain him upon his arrival in Cairo, Egypt.

He stated that Ribadu's order was based on information obtained from a tapped phone call, which he asserted was a direct security operation. El-Rufai made these claims during an interview on February 13, 2026, where he also discussed the mysterious abduction of critic Dadiyata, revealing police involvement in cross-state operations in Kaduna.

The public outrage surrounding Dadiyata's case continues to grow, highlighting ongoing concerns about security and governance in Nigeria.