Five security officers have been arrested over a February 12, 2026, security breach at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), Abuja, involving former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai.
The arrests followed a joint probe by the Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), and the Federal Ministry of Aviation.
Those detained include ASP Ayuba Yakubu (Police), Murtala Inuwa (DSS), Najeeb Murtala (Immigration), and Aviation Security personnel Musa Adamu and Salihu Victor. Investigators said the suspects admitted to receiving bribes to grant unauthorised access to restricted areas and to interfere with lawful security procedures.
The suspects have been transferred to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) for prosecution. Other personnel involved but not criminally liable will face internal disciplinary measures.
Authorities described the incident as a serious breach of national security and stressed that the action demonstrates a zero-tolerance stance toward internal compromise in Nigeria’s aviation system.
