On Thursday, a reported incident occurred involving former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, where security agents allegedly attempted to arrest him at the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport in Abuja as he returned from a trip to Cairo, Egypt. This claim was communicated by El-Rufai’s Media Adviser, Muyiwa Adekeye, through a post on his verified social media account. According to Adekeye, the security operatives approached El-Rufai right after he disembarked from the flight with intentions to detain him.

El-Rufai reportedly refused to comply with the agents’ request, emphasizing that he would not follow them without a formal invitation. This highlights ongoing tensions between individuals in influential political positions and Nigerian security agencies. Further complicating the matter, Adekeye alleged that during this encounter, security personnel seized El-Rufai’s passport, escalating the incident's seriousness and raising concerns about the treatment of former officials in Nigeria.

Such incidents could have broader implications for Nigeria's political landscape, particularly regarding the interactions between former governors and the current security apparatus. The alleged attempt to arrest a high-profile political figure such as El-Rufai might suggest underlying political motivations or tensions in the ongoing governance of Nigeria. It also sheds light on the complex relationship between power and security in the region, provoking discussions on civil rights and the treatment of political dissenters.