Abuja Airport Security Breach: Five Officers Arrested by DSS Over February 12 Incident Linked to Nasir El-Rufai, ICPC Takes Over Prosecution
Five security personnel have been arrested over the February 12, 2026 security breach at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, in an incident that has drawn national scrutiny and raised fresh concerns about insider threats within Nigeria’s aviation security architecture.
Findings obtained by PulseNets show that the breach allegedly involved unauthorised access to restricted zones of the airport, with reports linking former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai to the development. Authorities, however, have focused primarily on the actions of security operatives accused of facilitating the compromise.
Investigations were jointly conducted by the Department of State Services in collaboration with the Nigeria Immigration Service, the Nigeria Customs Service, and the Federal Ministry of Aviation. PulseNets learnt that the coordinated probe uncovered evidence of internal collusion involving security officers stationed at the airport on the day of the incident.
Sources familiar with the investigation told PulseNets that the arrested officers allegedly admitted during interrogation to receiving financial inducements in exchange for granting access to restricted airport areas and circumventing established aviation security protocols.
The officers identified in connection with the breach include:
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ASP Ayuba Yakubu – Nigeria Police Force
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Murtala Inuwa – Department of State Services
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Najeeb Murtala – Nigeria Immigration Service
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Musa Adamu – Aviation Security personnel
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Salihu Victor – Aviation Security personnel
Security authorities described the development as a serious insider compromise of critical national infrastructure, warning that such actions pose direct risks to aviation safety and broader national security interests.
PulseNets reported that the suspects have been transferred to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission for prosecution. They are expected to face charges bordering on corruption, abuse of office, and conspiracy to undermine official security procedures.
In a related development, PulseNets learned that additional officers from the Immigration and Customs services were implicated in the misuse of official uniforms to facilitate unauthorised movement within the airport. Although they were not found criminally liable, they are to face internal disciplinary measures by their respective agencies.
Officials within the Federal Ministry of Aviation, who spoke to PulseNets on condition of anonymity, stressed that the swift arrests underscore a zero-tolerance stance against internal compromise within Nigeria’s aviation security system. The investigation reportedly exposed coordination gaps among multiple agencies operating within sensitive national facilities, a situation expected to prompt broader institutional reviews and reforms.
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The February 12 breach gained heightened public attention due to the reported association of Nasir El-Rufai. However, details regarding his specific involvement remain limited in official briefings, with investigative focus centred on the security operatives accused of enabling the breach.
The case further amplifies ongoing concerns over corruption and insider threats within Nigeria’s critical infrastructure sectors, particularly airports, at a time when national security vigilance remains a top priority.
