Five security personnel attached to agencies operating at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), Abuja, have been arrested and handed over for prosecution over an alleged security breach linked to former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai.
The arrests followed a joint investigation by the Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the Federal Ministry of Aviation into events said to have occurred on February 12, 2026.
Those detained include Ayuba Yakubu, an Assistant Superintendent of Police; Murtala Inuwa of the DSS; Najeeb Murtala, an Assistant Superintendent of Immigration; and two Aviation Security officials, Musa Adamu and Salihu Victor.
The suspects were accused of compromising established airport security protocols after allegedly receiving bribes to facilitate unauthorised access to restricted areas and obstruct lawful security operations. A source involved in the investigation said the officers confessed to the allegations.
The five officers have been transferred to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission for prosecution under relevant anti-corruption and security laws. Other officers from the NIS and NCS whose actions were deemed non-criminal but improper are expected to face administrative sanctions.
Separately, proceedings were stalled in a N1 billion fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by El-Rufai at the Federal High Court in Abuja. His counsel sought an adjournment to enable proper service of court documents on the respondents, and the case was fixed for mention on March 11.
El-Rufai is challenging the validity of a search warrant authorising the search of his Abuja residence and seizure of items. He is seeking damages for alleged violations of his rights, including privacy and personal liberty, and is asking the court to declare the warrant null and void.
Meanwhile, the African Democratic Congress called for transparency in the ongoing investigations involving El-Rufai and former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami. The party urged authorities to file charges promptly where evidence exists and to uphold the constitutional presumption of innocence.
