Five security operatives have been arrested and are set to face prosecution over a February 12, 2026 breach at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, in an incident authorities say involved former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai.
The arrests followed a coordinated investigation by multiple security and aviation agencies, which uncovered what officials described as a serious internal compromise within critical national infrastructure.
Those detained include ASP Ayuba Yakubu of the Nigeria Police Force, Murtala Inuwa of the Department of State Services, Najeeb Murtala of the Nigeria Immigration Service, and Aviation Security staff Musa Adamu and Salihu Victor.
The probe was conducted jointly by the DSS, NIS, Nigeria Customs Service, and the Federal Ministry of Aviation, following the incident at the Abuja airport.
Investigators disclosed that the suspects allegedly confessed to collecting inducements to permit unauthorized entry into restricted airport zones and to obstruct established security protocols.
The five officers have been transferred to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) for prosecution. Other Immigration and Customs personnel found to have improperly used official uniforms to facilitate access will undergo internal disciplinary action.
Officials said the measures underscore a zero-tolerance stance against insider misconduct within aviation security, stressing that accountability remains central to safeguarding the nation’s airports.
