Security operatives on Thursday reportedly made a move to detain former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, shortly after his arrival from Cairo, Egypt.

The incident was disclosed by El-Rufai’s Media Adviser, Muyiwa Adekeye, in a statement posted on his verified X (formerly Twitter) handle.

According to the aide, the operatives approached the former governor immediately after he disembarked from his flight and informed him of their intention to take him into custody. El-Rufai, however, declined to comply, insisting that he would not accompany them without a formal invitation or official communication.

“Security agents today attempted to arrest Malam Nasir El-Rufai as he arrived on a flight from Cairo. Malam El-Rufai declined to follow them without a formal invitation,” Adekeye stated.

He further alleged that during the standoff, the operatives confiscated El-Rufai’s passport from one of his aides at the airport.

As of the time of filing this report, there was no official statement from the security agencies regarding the development.