Five security officers have been arrested and will face prosecution over a security breach at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), Abuja, on February 12, 2026, authorities have confirmed. The incident reportedly involved former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai.
The arrests followed a joint investigation by the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), and the Federal Ministry of Aviation.
Those detained include ASP Ayuba Yakubu of the Nigeria Police Force; Murtala Inuwa of the DSS; Najeeb Murtala of the Immigration Service; and Aviation Security personnel Musa Adamu and Salihu Victor.
Investigators said the suspects allegedly admitted to receiving bribes to grant unauthorised access to restricted areas of the airport and to interfere with established security procedures. Authorities described the incident as a serious insider breach of critical national infrastructure.
The five officers have been transferred to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) for prosecution.
Officials also disclosed that additional Immigration and Customs personnel found to have misused official uniforms to facilitate unauthorised access, but not deemed criminally liable, will face internal disciplinary action.
Authorities said the measures underscore a zero-tolerance approach to internal compromise within Nigeria’s aviation security system.
