DSS arrests five security officers over alleged airport bribery linked to El-Rufai
The Department of State Services (DSS) has arrested five security personnel over alleged bribery involving former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai.
According to security sources, the arrests followed a joint investigation involving the DSS, the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), and the Federal Ministry of Aviation. The probe reportedly uncovered that the officers received bribes to facilitate unauthorized access to restricted areas of an airport during El-Rufai’s return to Nigeria a few weeks ago.
The officers named in connection with the incident are Ayuba Yakubu, an Assistant Superintendent of Police; Murtala Inuwa of the DSS; Najeeb Murtala, an Assistant Superintendent of Immigration; and two Aviation Security (AVSEC) personnel, Musa Adamu and Salihu Victor.
Our sources said the suspects have been handed over to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) for prosecution.
Security officials also described the alleged actions as a serious insider compromise of critical national infrastructure, noting that the officers confessed to receiving bribes to obstruct lawful security procedures.
On 12 February, El-Rufai’s return to Nigeria from Cairo was marked by a tense confrontation at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja when security operatives sought to detain him shortly after his arrival from Ciaro Egypt.
Operatives attempted to detain him and seized his international passport, but El-Rufai reportedly declined to comply, insisting that no arrest warrant or formal invitation was presented. His legal team described the move as unlawful, while the DSS later stated that the passport action was taken in connection with ongoing investigations and not an arrest.
