The Department of State Services has arrested some security operatives over their alleged roles in the return of former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, to Nigeria from Egypt on February 12.
According to a statement by the secret police, the arrests followed a joint investigation involving the Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigeria Customs Service and the Federal Ministry of Aviation after an attempt to arrest El-Rufai at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport was unsuccessful.
The DSS disclosed that five officers were detained for allegedly facilitating unauthorized access to restricted areas of the airport and obstructing lawful security operations.
Those arrested include Ayuba Yakubu, an Assistant Superintendent of Police; Murtala Inuwa of the DSS; Najeeb Murtala of the Nigeria Immigration Service; Musa Adamu of Aviation Security; and Salihu Victor of Aviation Security.
The agency alleged that the officers received bribes to enable El-Rufai evade arrest upon his arrival from Cairo. It, however, clarified that some other officers from the Nigeria Immigration Service and Nigeria Customs Service who did not receive bribes but were found to have abused their positions would face administrative sanctions.
“They have all confessed to receiving bribes to facilitate unauthorized entry into restricted areas and to obstruct lawful security operations,” the DSS stated, adding that the suspects had been handed over to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission for prosecution.
The DSS had earlier filed criminal charges against El-Rufai but was unable to arraign him on February 25 as he was in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission.
El-Rufai’s passport was seized during the airport incident. His former spokesman had stated that security agents attempted to arrest him without a formal invitation, alleging that his international passport was taken by operatives.
The former governor has maintained his innocence, accusing the government of witch-hunt.
