Security operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) have allegedly seized the international passport of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, following a failed attempt to arrest him upon his arrival in Abuja aboard EgyptAir flight MS 877 from Cairo.
El-Rufai’s passport was reportedly taken after individuals present at the airport surrounded the officers, insisting that he would not accompany them unless they presented a valid arrest warrant.
The former governor was said to have demanded a warrant of arrest or a formal invitation from the DSS, which, according to his counsel, the officers failed to produce.
The encounter at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport on Thursday followed El-Rufai’s earlier claim that the Federal Government might soon facilitate his arrest.
Prior to the incident, he had made statements which the security agency allegedly described as inflammatory and capable of undermining national security.
It was gathered that the DSS had not issued any invitation to El-Rufai before he left the country or during his stay abroad for medical treatment and rest, as the invitation was instead issued by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The EFCC’s invitation was reportedly delivered to his residence while he was already outside the country, making it impossible for him to respond at the time.
It was gathered that El-Rufai’s counsel had since December 2025 been in communication with the anti-graft agency on his behalf, assuring that he would comply upon his return.
Following this assurance, his lawyer was said to have notified the EFCC that El-Rufai would voluntarily appear at the commission’s office by 10:00 a.m. on Monday, February 16, 2026, to respond to the invitation.
Confirming the attempted arrest in a statement, El-Rufai’s lawyer, Ubong Akpan, condemned the DSS action, describing it as a violation of his client’s constitutional rights, executive overreach, and a disregard for the rule of law.
Akpan also criticised the seizure of the passport, describing it as unlawful and tantamount to the illegal taking of private property by state agents acting without legal authority.
“No government agency possesses unfettered authority to detain citizens without due process. All public institutions and officials are bound by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), which mandates adherence to legal protocols,” he said.
He demanded the immediate and unconditional cessation of all attempts to detain El-Rufai, the return of his passport, and a formal apology for what he described as an infringement on his rights and dignity.
The lawyer further stated that his client would not evade law enforcement and would honour all legitimate summons without preconditions.
Akpan also warned that legal action would be taken against those responsible for the alleged unconstitutional conduct, stressing that the judiciary remains the ultimate arbiter for seeking redress.
