The Department of State Services (DSS) has detained five security operatives over alleged involvement in the return of former Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai from Egypt on February 12.
According to Daily Trust, the operatives were reportedly implicated in facilitating unauthorized access and obstructing lawful security operations during El-Rufai’s arrival at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja. Efforts to arrest him at the airport initially failed, though his international passport was seized.
El-Rufai’s spokesman, Muyiwa Adekeye, confirmed the incident, noting that El-Rufai declined to comply with security operatives’ demands without a formal invitation.
Three days later, El-Rufai honoured an invitation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and was subsequently detained, grilled for three days, and granted bail. However, he was later arrested by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
Following a joint investigation by the DSS, Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), and the Federal Ministry of Aviation, five officers were detained: ASP Ayuba Yakubu, Police; Murtala Inuwa, DSS; ASI Najeeb Murtala, NIS;
Musa Adamu, Aviation Security (AVSEC); and Salihu Victor, AVSEC.
The DSS said the officers confessed to receiving bribes that allowed unauthorized entry into restricted areas and obstructed lawful security operations. They have been handed over to the ICPC for prosecution.
Others whose involvement did not constitute criminal activity but who abused their positions will face administrative sanctions.
