Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El‑Rufai has condemned what his legal team described as an attempted unlawful arrest by security operatives at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport on Thursday, shortly after his arrival from Cairo, Egypt, his counsel said in Abuja.

El‑Rufai returned to Nigeria on Thursday and, according to his media aide, was approached by security operatives as he disembarked from his flight. The aides said El‑Rufai did not accompany them because no formal invitation or warrant was presented.

His lawyers issued a statement alleging that the operatives from the Department of State Services attempted to detain him without proper legal documentation.

The lawyers said the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission had previously delivered an invitation to him while he was abroad, and that they had communicated a plan for him to appear voluntarily.

According to a statement by El‑Rufai’s counsel, the attempt to detain him occurred without presentation of a warrant or formal invitation letter.

The legal team argued that the action violated constitutional rights, including the right to personal liberty, fair hearing, freedom of movement and dignity of the human person.

The lawyers also said security operatives seized El‑Rufai’s international passport during the encounter. They demanded the return of the passport and a formal apology for the incident.

Eyewitnesses at the airport reportedly intervened, insisting that any arrest must follow lawful processes.

El‑Rufai’s legal representatives also said he had informed the EFCC that he would voluntarily appear at its office in Abuja by 10:00 a.m. on Monday, February 16, 2026, to address any issues raised in the earlier invitation.

As of the time of filing this report, there had been no official statement from the DSS or the EFCC addressing the incident.

In a post shared on his verified X account, El‑Rufai said his lawyers had “issued a statement that condemns the illegal attempt to arrest me today at the Abuja airport upon my arrival from Cairo.”

He added, “Our country must outgrow executive overreach and deliberate disregard for the rule of law.”

The incident at the Abuja airport involves a senior political figure who has been active in national politics and recently changed party affiliations.

The claims and responses regarding due process and constitutional rights contribute to ongoing public discussion about law‑enforcement procedures and governance in Nigeria.