Airport Drama in Abuja: Security Operatives Move to Arrest Ex-Governor El-Rufai, Seize Passport — Nigerians Demand Answers

Tension gripped the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja following reports that security operatives attempted to arrest former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, shortly after his arrival from Cairo, Egypt.

According to his aide, security officials confronted the former governor at the airport and allegedly seized his passport from his associate. However, El-Rufai reportedly refused to comply with their directives, insisting that no formal arrest warrant or official invitation was presented to him. Eyewitness accounts described a tense scene, as the former governor stood his ground, demanding that proper legal procedures be followed. In Nigeria, while security agencies have powers to arrest individuals under certain conditions, citizens retain the constitutional right to be informed of the reason for their arrest. Arbitrary arrest or harassment without due process raises serious legal and democratic concerns.

This development has sparked widespread reactions among Nigerians, many of whom are questioning whether the incident reflects a growing pattern of using state security apparatus as tools of intimidation against political figures. Others are demanding transparency from authorities, emphasizing that the rule of law must apply equally to everyone — whether a powerful politician or an ordinary citizen.The seizure of a citizen’s passport is also a serious matter. A passport is not just a travel document; it represents a person’s freedom of movement. Any restriction on that freedom must be backed by lawful authority, not mere force or intimidation.

At the time of this report, security agencies had not released an official statement explaining their actions. This silence has only deepened public suspicion and concern.For many Nigerians, the real issue goes beyond El-Rufai as an individual. It is about protecting the fundamental rights guaranteed under the Constitution. Today it may be a former governor. Tomorrow, it could be any ordinary citizen.In a democracy, power must answer to the law — not operate above it.Nigerians now wait to see whether authorities will provide lawful justification for their actions or whether this incident will become another troubling example of unchecked power.