El-Rufai Mentions Who Ordered His Arrest at Abuja Airport in Trending Video
- Prominent politician Nasir El-Rufai alleged that National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu ordered his arrest at the Abuja airport
- El-Rufai had claimed that the NSA's phone was tapped, suggesting the motives for his detention
- Reactions from Nigerians greeting the former governor's claim, highlighting concerns over national security and accountability
Legit.ng journalist Adekunle Dada has over 8 years of experience covering metro, government policy, and international issues
FCT, Abuja - The former governor of Kaduna state, Nasir El-Rufai, has accused the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, of ordering his arrest at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
Legit.ng reported that security operatives attempted to arrest El-Rufai on Thursday, February 12, 2026, upon arrival from Cairo, Egypt.
Source: Twitter
The former governor claimed that Ribadu personally ordered the DSS to arrest him.
The chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) alleged that the NSA’s phone was tapped.
He claimed that those who tapped Ribadu’s phone heard him directing security operatives to detain him.
“The NSA’s call was tapped. They do that to our calls too, and we heard him saying they should arrest me.”
He stated this while speaking on Friday, February 13, 2026, in an interview with Arise Television.
Reactions as El-Rufai accuses Ribadu of ordering arrest
Legit.ng compiled some reactions below:
@de_generalnoni
This is serious indictment. You mean you support a man’s phone being häcked! In saner climes- He will be picked up after this interview— He must provide that person!
@zeesol16
They tapped the phone of the NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER, and you're proud to say this online? If we're a serious people, he won't finish that interview before he'll picked.
@abuagoody
El Rufai is very manipulative... See how he is trying to confuse the NSA Nuhu Ribadu by saying someone tapped his phone. That's a way of diversion to turn Ribadu against his aides.
@niyiofficial
This is a very careless conversation from this El-Rufai guy, unfortunately Charles failed to make him see this. When you talk too much, chances are that you'll run into problems. No wonder he was rejected by the Senate on security grounds.
@Hemperorhush
El rufia needs to produce who tapped the phone of our national security adviser, this is a threat to our national security and shouldn't be taken lightly.
@AkpusughSughnen
They tapped phone just to hear a conversation. They are only testing the mic, their plans for online transmission of results is no joke. I now see why they were calling for only online system without manual process. We go use the two, just in case someone try to play games.
@amusbay1
Hun! You know who tapped NSA phone number and revealed the information to you ? Serious indictment . But This man can lies for Africa!
Source: Twitter
El-Rufai finally opens up on Dadiyata’s abduction
Legit.ng also reported that Nasir El-Rufai discussed the mysterious abduction of critic Dadiyata, who had been missing since 2019.
According to the former minister of FCT, Dadiyata was a critic of the Kano state government and not Kaduna. He further explained that he only got to know about the critic after the abduction incident.
Proofreading by Kola Muhammed, copy editor at Legit.ng.
Source: Legit.ng
