Supporters of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, reportedly thwarted an attempt by security agents to arrest him on Thursday at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
Naijaonpoint reports that security operatives had moved to apprehend the former governor shortly after he arrived in the capital, but were met with stiff resistance from a crowd of loyalists who had gathered at the airport.
The former governor, who had recently hinted at possible plans to arrest him, was swiftly escorted out of the terminal by supporters chanting solidarity slogans.
“He is our leader, nothing will happen!” some could be heard shouting in widely circulated video clips of the incident.
Footage posted on social media showed El-Rufai walking calmly through the terminal, flanked by a large crowd believed to be made up of political associates, aides, and loyal backers.
While it remains unclear which agency was behind the alleged arrest attempt, the dramatic scenes at the airport fuelled speculation about growing tensions between the former governor and the authorities.
The attempted arrest might be linked to ongoing investigations into alleged financial misconduct during El-Rufai’s time in office.
El-Rufai, who left office in 2023, has come under scrutiny in recent months following a probe launched by his successor, Governor Uba Sani, into alleged irregularities in the management of state funds.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) are said to be investigating several allegations against him and his former aides.
He has denied any wrongdoing and maintains that he is being politically targeted for his criticism of the Tinubu administration and his recent defection from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the African Democratic Congress (ADC).