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Five security officers have been arrested and will face prosecution over their alleged roles in a security breach at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport on February 12, 2026, authorities said on Tuesday.
The arrests came after a joint investigation into a breach of airport security procedures involving former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, according to a statement provided to Punch.
The investigation was conducted by the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), and the Federal Ministry of Aviation.
“At the end of a joint investigation by DSS, NIS, NCS and the Federal Ministry of Aviation, five officers have been detained,” the statement read.
The officers 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 received bribes to facilitate unauthorised access to restricted areas and obstruct lawful security operations.
The statement said the suspects had confessed and had been handed over to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) for prosecution.
“They have all confessed to receiving bribes to facilitate unauthorised entry into Restricted Areas, to obstruct lawful security operations in an unprecedented manner,” the statement added.
Officials added that other NIS and NCS personnel whose actions were deemed non-criminal would face administrative sanctions for facilitating unauthorised access.
The incident is connected to events on February 12, when security operatives reportedly attempted to arrest El-Rufai upon his arrival from Cairo at the Abuja airport.
His passport was seized, and he declined to accompany operatives without a warrant, according to reports.
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.
After being granted administrative bail, he was rearrested by ICPC operatives and has remained in custody.
Separately, the DSS filed a three-count charge against him over the alleged wiretapping of National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu.
