Five security officers are set to face prosecution following a February 12, 2026, breach at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), an incident reportedly involving former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai.
The arrests were the outcome of a joint investigation led by the Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), 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 allege the officers admitted to accepting bribes in exchange for granting unauthorised access to restricted airport areas and compromising standard security procedures.
Authorities described the breach as a “grave insider compromise” of critical national infrastructure, emphasizing the severity of internal corruption within the aviation sector.
The suspects have been handed over to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) for prosecution, while other Immigration and Customs personnel involved in misuse of uniforms—but not deemed criminally liable—will face internal disciplinary measures.
Officials stressed that the crackdown reinforces a zero-tolerance approach toward internal security lapses in Nigeria’s aviation system, signaling stricter oversight to prevent future compromises.
