TDFormer Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, has alleged that his botched arrest on February 12, 2026, was ordered by National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.
El-Rufai made the remarks during an interview on Arise TV’s programme “Prime Time”.
Surveillance Allegations
According to El-Rufai, about 50 operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) carried out the operation.
He further claimed that his team had access to intelligence intercepts:
He said: “We know this because we listen to their calls.
“The Government thinks they are the only ones who listen to our calls, but we are also listening to their calls.”
El-Rufai Revealed Plans to Arrest Him
Before any reported attempt to detain him, the former Kaduna State Governor had publicly raised the alarm that the Nigerian government was planning to arrest him.
In early February 2026, El-Rufai made statements suggesting that the federal government might target him.
The arrest, he said, is in connection with ongoing investigations and the detention of some of his associates.
He specifically claimed that he could be arrested “at any time” and described the situation as part of politically motivated pressure against him and other opposition figures.
Political Context
El-Rufai also alleged that intercepted communications indicated a plan by the National Security Adviser’s office.
He claimed that the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led Government directed security agencies to detain him.
He shared the claims publicly in interviews.
These warnings came shortly before a high-profile incident at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
The security operatives attempted to detain him at the Airport as he returned from abroad.
His legal team described the action as unlawful due to the lack of a warrant or formal invitation.
The recent statement has sparked intense debate across political and security circles.
Federal government sources have yet to issue an official response.
Meanwhile, the allegation have raised questions about surveillance practices.
It has also brought to the fore the balance of power between political figures and security agencies.
Reactions
Supporters of El Rufai argue that the arrest reflects political intimidation and suppression of dissent.
Critics, however, caution that such claims of wiretapping by private individuals raise serious legal and ethical concerns.
Civil society groups are calling for transparency.
They urge both the government and El Rufai to clarify the circumstances surrounding the arrest and surveillance claims.
This development underscores growing tensions within Nigeria’s political landscape.
The allegations, if substantiated, could have far-reaching consequences for governance, civil liberties, and the credibility of national security institutions.
