The El-Rufai airport arrest attempt has triggered political controversy after security operatives confronted the former Kaduna State governor upon his arrival from Cairo, Egypt.

Eyewitness accounts and statements from his media aide, Muyiwa Adekeye, indicate that plain-clothed security agents approached El-Rufai immediately after he disembarked from his flight. The operatives allegedly attempted to detain him without presenting a warrant or formal invitation.

El-Rufai refused to comply. He insisted on proper legal procedure and demanded written documentation before any engagement. In a video circulating online, he addressed the officers directly and stated that no authority could compel him without due process. He asked them to issue a formal letter if they required his presence.

The confrontation created a tense scene at the airport but did not result in his arrest. However, Adekeye claimed that security agents seized El-Rufai’s international passport from one of his aides during the encounter. He described the action as unlawful and accused the operatives of violating established procedures.

El-Rufai’s lawyer, Ubong Esop Akpan, strongly condemned the incident. The legal team demanded the immediate return of the passport and called for a public apology. Counsel argued that authorities lacked lawful grounds to attempt the arrest and had no justification to confiscate personal property.

The incident follows recent remarks from El-Rufai about a possible politically motivated arrest. He had earlier referenced the detention of some associates and warned that authorities might target him next. His comments fueled speculation about rising political tensions.

As of press time, no security agency has released an official statement explaining the attempted detention or the passport seizure. The silence has intensified public debate and drawn mixed reactions from supporters and critics.

El-Rufai later departed the airport with his entourage, while the passport issue remains unresolved. The development has added a new layer of controversy to Nigeria’s evolving political climate.

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