Former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai has alleged that security operatives attempted to detain him at an airport following what he described as instructions from the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission.
According to El-Rufai, about 50 operatives of the Department of State Services were present and tried to compel him to accompany them without presenting an official letter of invitation. He said he declined to comply because due process was not followed.
The former governor further alleged that tensions escalated during the encounter, claiming one of his aides was assaulted and his passport temporarily seized. He maintained that the situation reflected what he sees as a broader pattern of intimidation against former members of his administration.
El-Rufai also accused the current federal leadership of being determined to discredit past officials. He said investigations into his tenure began shortly after he left office in 2023, adding that several of his former aides — including his chief of staff and commissioner of finance — have been questioned and charged in court.
“They have investigated me and found nothing,” he stated, describing the cases as politically motivated.
As of press time, neither the DSS nor the ICPC had issued a formal public response to the allegations. Political observers say the claims are likely to intensify debate over accountability, due process, and the relationship between security agencies and former public officials.
The development adds another layer to ongoing national conversations about anti-corruption efforts, governance standards, and political rivalry in Nigeria.
