Five security officers have been arrested and are set to face prosecution for their alleged involvement in a security breach at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja on February 12, 2026. The incident is directly tied to former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai.

In a statement titled “Arrest and Prosecution of Security Officers Compromised by Nasir El-Rufai at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport for the 12th February 2026 Security Breach,” authorities confirmed the arrests on Tuesday following a joint investigation.

The  comprehensive investigation was carried out by the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), and the Federal Ministry of Aviation.

“At the end of a joint investigation by DSS, NIS, NCS and the Federal Ministry of Aviation, five officers have been detained,” the statement read.

The detained officers have been identified as Ayuba Yakubu (ASP) of the Police Force, Murtala Inuwa of the DSS, Najeeb Murtala (ASI) of the NIS, and two Aviation Security (AVSEC) personnel, Musa Adamu and Salihu Victor.

According to the authorities, the officers have admitted to their involvement in the breach. “They have all confessed to receiving bribes to facilitate unauthorised entry into Restricted Areas, to obstruct lawful security operations in an unprecedented manner,” the statement revealed.

The suspects have now been handed over to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) for prosecution. The statement further noted that other personnel from the NIS and NCS who did not receive bribes but abused their uniforms to aid the unauthorized access would face administrative action.

The security breach occurred on February 12 when security operatives attempted to arrest Nasir El-Rufai upon his arrival from Cairo. His passport was reportedly seized, but the former governor refused to accompany the operatives, demanding the presentation of an arrest warrant.

Days later, El-Rufai was detained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over allegations of misappropriating ₦432 billion during his tenure as Kaduna State governor.

Shortly after being granted administrative bail by the EFCC, he was rearrested by the ICPC and has remained in custody since. The ICPC subsequently searched his Abuja residence, an action his legal team has vehemently condemned as unlawful.

Additionally, the DSS has filed a three-count charge against El-Rufai for allegedly wiretapping the phone lines of National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, following remarks the former governor made during a television interview.