Breaking: DSS Arrests Police, Immigration Officers Over Bribery Plot To Stall El-Rufai’s Arrest

Although operatives were unable to take him into custody at the airport, his international passport was reportedly confiscated. His spokesperson, Muyiwa Adekeye, confirmed the incident at the time, stating on that security agents attempted to arrest El-Rufai upon his arrival from Cairo but he declined to accompany them without a formal invitation. He alleged that officers subsequently seized the passport from one of his aides.

El-Rufai later responded to an invitation from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), where he was interrogated for three days before being granted bail. He was subsequently taken into custody by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

Providing further details on Tuesday, the DSS said a joint investigation involving the DSS, Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), and the Federal Ministry of Aviation led to the detention of five officers. The agency alleged that some operatives accepted bribes to allow unauthorized access to restricted areas and disrupt a lawful security operation.

Those detained are Ayuba Yakubu (ASP) of the Police; Murtala Inuwa of the DSS; Najeeb Murtala (ASI) of the NIS; Musa Adamu of Aviation Security (AVSEC); and Salihu Victor of AVSEC.

According to the DSS, the officers admitted to receiving bribes to facilitate the breach and have been handed over to the ICPC for prosecution. The agency added that other officials from the NIS and NCS who did not allegedly collect bribes but misused their positions to enable unauthorized access will face internal disciplinary measures.