The Department of State Services (DSS) has uncovered a major security breach at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, arresting five security and aviation officials.
The officials were arrested for their role in allegedly helping former Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, evade a planned arrest on February 12.
The secret police had lying in wait for the former governor upon his arrival from Cairo, Egypt, but failed to take him into custody. While Mr. El-Rufaiโs passport was ultimately seized at the airport, he himself walked out without being detained.
In a statement released on Tuesday, the DSS revealed that a joint investigation with the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), and the Federal Ministry of Aviation led to the detention of the five officers.
Those arrested and detained are:
ยท Ayuba Yakubu (ASP) โ Nigeria Police Force
ยท Murtala Inuwa โ Department of State Services (DSS)
ยท Najeeb Murtala (ASI) โ Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS)
ยท Musa Adamu โ Aviation Security (AVSEC)
ยท Salihu Victor โ Aviation Security (AVSEC)
According to the DSS, the operatives have confessed to their roles in the incident. “They have all confessed to receiving bribes to facilitate unauthorized entry into Restricted Areas, to obstruct lawful security operation in an unprecedented manner,” the statement read.
The secret police clarified that while bribery was a key factor for most, a few others involved did not take money but still compromised their positions. “Others from NIS and NCS whose involvement is not criminal; that is, did not receive bribe, but abuse their uniforms to facilitate unauthorized access, will face administrative action.”
Following the conclusion of the joint investigation, the five detained officers have been handed over to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) for prosecution.
This incident is the latest twist in a protracted legal and political battle involving the former governor. After the failed arrest at the airport, El-Rufai voluntarily honored an invitation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) three days later.
He was subsequently detained by the EFCC, granted bail, and then immediately re-arrested by the ICPC, where he remains in custody.
The DSS had filed criminal charges against El-Rufai but was unable to arraign him on February 25 because he was in ICPC custody.
The agency now alleges that the former governor used financial inducements to bypass its operation at the airport, an accusation El-Rufai has consistently denied, maintaining that the actions of the government constitute a political witch-hunt.
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