The incident reportedly occurred at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport when El-Rufai returned to Nigeria from Cairo, Egypt. According to sources close to the former governor, security officials approached him upon arrival and attempted to take him into custody. However, the situation escalated when it was claimed that no arrest warrant or formal documentation was presented.
El-Rufai was said to have questioned the legality of the move, insisting that due process must be followed. Reports indicate that his international passport was briefly seized during the confrontation before the situation was eventually de-escalated. He was later allowed to leave the airport without being detained.
Reacting to the development, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission denied involvement in the airport incident. The anti-graft agency clarified that although El-Rufai had been invited for questioning over undisclosed matters, its operatives were not responsible for the attempted arrest at the airport. The commission maintained that due process was being followed and that he had been duly notified to appear at a scheduled date.
During his visit, Atiku described the airport episode as disturbing and warned against actions that could undermine democratic principles and the rule of law. He emphasized that political differences should not result in intimidation or disregard for constitutional procedures. Atiku noted that El-Rufai remained calm and resolute despite the incident.
The former vice president, who is a prominent figure in the Atiku Abubakar-led opposition coalition and a leading voice within the African Democratic Congress, reiterated his commitment to defending democratic norms and protecting civil liberties.
Also showing solidarity was former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi, who separately visited El-Rufai following the airport standoff.
The development has since generated widespread reactions across the political landscape, with supporters and critics debating the legality and timing of the attempted arrest. Legal practitioners have called for transparency from relevant authorities, stressing that law enforcement actions must strictly adhere to constitutional provisions.
As of the time of filing this report, El-Rufai has yet to issue a detailed public statement beyond condemning what he described as an unlawful attempt to curtail his freedom. The situation continues to draw national attention amid heightened political tensions.