El-Rufai alleges ICPC directed DSS to arrest him
Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir el-Rufai, has alleged that operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) attempted to detain him at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport on Thursday following his return from Cairo, Egypt.
The former governor claimed that the action was initiated at the instance of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
According to El-Rufai, DSS operatives approached him shortly after he disembarked from his flight and requested that he accompany them to their office. He said he declined, insisting on being presented with a formal letter of invitation.
In an interview with BBC published on Friday, El-Rufai recounted that the security personnel asked him to hand over his passport, which he refused, opting instead to complete his immigration procedures personally.
He stated that additional officers later identified themselves as DSS officials and again asked him to follow them. However, he maintained that he would not comply without official documentation.
“All I asked for was the courtesy of a letter of invitation, which I believe I am entitled to as a Nigerian,” he said, adding that no such letter was provided.
El-Rufai further alleged that a significant number of security operatives were present at the airport in connection with the incident. He claimed he later learned that the ICPC had requested the DSS to effect his arrest.
Responding to suggestions that he was attempting to avoid arrest, the former governor said his concerns were rooted in what he described as growing authoritarian tendencies.
