The Department of State Services (DSS) has arrested five security operatives over their alleged involvement in facilitating the controversial return of former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, to Nigeria from Egypt on February 12.
The arrests follow an internal investigation into the incident at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, where security agents had reportedly attempted to apprehend El-Rufai upon his arrival from Cairo but were unsuccessful. His international passport was subsequently seized during the encounter.
According to the DSS, a joint probe involving the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), and the Federal Ministry of Aviation uncovered that some officers allegedly received bribes to grant unauthorized access to restricted areas of the airport and obstruct lawful security operations.
In a statement, the secret police disclosed that five officers had been detained and handed over to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) for prosecution. The affected personnel include officers from the police, DSS, NIS, and Aviation Security (AVSEC).
The agency clarified that while not all those arrested directly collected bribes, some allegedly consented to the act or abused their official positions to facilitate unauthorized access. Those not found criminally culpable will face administrative sanctions, the statement added.
The DSS further alleged that El-Rufai bribed officials to evade arrest upon his return, an accusation the former governor has denied. El-Rufai has maintained his innocence, describing the actions against him as a witch-hunt.
Following the airport incident, El-Rufai honoured an invitation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which reportedly grilled him for three days before granting bail. However, he was later taken into custody by the ICPC.
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The DSS had filed criminal charges against him but was unable to arraign him on February 25 because he was in ICPC custody at the time.
The development has heightened political tensions, with observers closely watching the unfolding legal and institutional battle involving multiple security and anti-graft agencies.
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