Five security personnel attached to the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA) have been arrested and handed over to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) following a major breach of airport security that occurred on February 12, 2026 involving former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai.
In a joint statement released on Tuesday, the Department of State Services (DSS) confirmed that the probe – conducted alongside the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the Federal Ministry of Aviation – culminated in the detention of the officers after investigators determined they had compromised established security protocols at the airport.
The officers detained include:
• ASP Ayuba Yakubu – Police
• Murtala Inuwa – DSS operative
• Najeeb Murtala (ASI) – Nigeria Immigration Service
• Musa Adamu – Aviation Security (AVSEC)
• Salihu Victor – AVSEC personnel
According to the statement, all five have allegedly allegedly confessed to receiving bribes to allow unauthorised entry into restricted areas, in what authorities described as an obstruction of lawful security operations “in an unprecedented manner.” They have since been transferred to the ICPC for prosecution.
The statement added that other officers from the NIS and NCS – though not found to have taken bribes – allegedly abused their uniforms to facilitate unauthorised access and will face administrative sanctions.
The security breach occurred during the controversial return of Nasir el Rufai to Nigeria on February 12 after a trip abroad. At the airport, operatives of the DSS reportedly attempted to arrest him on arrival, leading to a highly publicised confrontation in which his passport was seized. el Rufai’s camp said he refused to comply without a formal warrant.
This incident triggered a series of legal actions. El-Rufai was subsequently detained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) between February 16 and 18 over alleged misappropriation of public funds during his tenure as governor. After being granted administrative bail, he was rearrested by the ICPC and remains in custody as investigations deepen.
The DSS has also filed separate criminal charges against him, including allegations related to unlawful surveillance, following comments made during a television interview.
