Five security officers arrested over bribery in El-Rufai airport security breach

Five security officers have been arrested and are to face prosecution over their alleged roles in a security breach at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport on February 12, 2026, in an incident linked to former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai.

In a statement released Tuesday, authorities said the arrests followed a joint investigation into what was described as a serious compromise of airport security procedures. The probe was conducted by the Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), and the Federal Ministry of Aviation.

According to the statement, five officers were detained at the conclusion of the investigation. They were identified as Ayuba Yakubu (ASP) – Police; Murtala Inuwa – DSS; Najeeb Murtala (ASI) – NIS; Musa Adamu – Aviation Security; and Salihu Victor – AVSEC.

Authorities alleged that the officers confessed to receiving bribes to facilitate unauthorised access to restricted areas of the airport and to obstruct lawful security operations. The suspects have since been handed over to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) for prosecution.

The statement added that other personnel from the NIS and NCS whose actions were deemed non-criminal — but who allegedly abused their positions to grant unauthorised access — would face administrative sanctions.

The incident is connected to events involving El-Rufai’s arrival at the Abuja airport from Cairo on February 12. Security operatives reportedly attempted to arrest him upon arrival, seized his passport, and requested that he accompany them. He was said to have declined without the presentation of a warrant.

Between February 16 and 18, El-Rufai was detained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over allegations of misappropriating ₦432 billion during his tenure as governor of Kaduna State. Shortly after being granted administrative bail, he was rearrested by ICPC operatives and has remained in custody.

In subsequent developments, ICPC officials conducted a search of his residence on Aso Drive in Abuja, an action his legal team described as unlawful and a violation of his rights.

Separately, the DSS filed a three-count charge against El-Rufai over allegations of wiretapping the phone lines of National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, following remarks he made during a television interview.

Authorities say investigations into the airport breach and related matters are ongoing.