News
EFCC: Our Operatives Not Involved In Attempt To Arrest El-rufai At Airport, We Already Invited Him
EFCC: Our Operatives Not Involved In Attempt To Arrest El-rufai At Airport, We Already Invited Him
EFCC: Our operatives not involved in attempt to arrest El-rufai at airport, we already invited him. The EFCC said it had already invited the former governor, who is billed to appear before the commission on Monday, February 16, 2026.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has denied involvement in Thursday’s Abuja airport altercation between former governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, and some plain-cloth security agents.
The anti-graft agency confirmed that it had already invited the former governor, who is billed to appear before the commission on Monday, February 16, 2026.
“Our operatives were not involved in the altercation with Mr El-Rufai at the airport earlier today,” EFCC’s spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, told Peoples Gazette on Thursday night.
He added, “We have invited him, and the agreed date is Monday, February 16. There’s no way we would attempt to arrest someone that we’ve invited.”
Some plain-cloth security agents, who The Gazette has now learnt were operatives of the State Security Service (SSS), attempted to arrest Mr El-Rufai, who resisted at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport, Abuja, on Thursday afternoon. The incident occurred minutes after he arrived from Cairo, Egypt.
The SSS’ public relations unit did not respond to inquiries on Thursday.
Mr El-Rufai’s legal counsel, Ubong Akpan, confirmed that his client was earlier invited by the EFCC for questioning while he was abroad and would honour the agency’s invitation on Monday.
“The invitation from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was delivered to Malam El-Rufai’s residence while he was already abroad.
“Yesterday, we explicitly notified them that he would voluntarily appear at their office by 10:00 a.m. on Monday, February 16, 2026, specifying the precise place and time for addressing the invitation.
“Resorting to arrest despite this clear commitment exemplifies arbitrary conduct and undermines procedural integrity,” Mr Akpan said in a statement on Thursday.
He condemned the attempted arrest of the politician by SSS operatives, stating that the approach defied reason, as the operatives neither presented a warrant nor a formal invitation.
“Upon his arrival, security operatives from the Department of State Services moved to arrest Malam El-Rufai without presenting any warrant or formal invitation. When he calmly demanded to see the letter of invitation—a basic entitlement of any citizen facing state action—none could be produced. No document, no signed directive, no lawful process.

El-Rufai
“There was only raw power, unclothed by law. In the same unlawful manner, operatives physically snatched his international passport from his person.
This act is nothing short of stealing—the unlawful taking of private property by agents of the state acting without colour of authority. This action constitutes a flagrant violation of constitutional rights, executive overreach, and a deliberate disregard for the rule of law,” Mr Akpan stated.
Mr Akpan demanded an immediate and unconditional cessation of all unlawful efforts to detain Mr El-Rufai, the immediate return of his passport, and a formal apology for “this egregious infringement on his dignity and rights.”
He also threatened to pursue legal action against all persons and agencies responsible for what he described as unconstitutional conduct to uphold accountability and deter future abuses.
Akwa Ibom
Senator Aniekan Bassey Advances Rural Infrastructure, Economic Opportunities In Akwa Ibom Community
Senator Aniekan Bassey Advances Rural Infrastructure, Economic Opportunities In Akwa Ibom Community
Rural infrastructure. Esuk Odu Beach has historically served as a vital fishing settlement and trading hub for coastal communities in Uruan. Over the years, it has remained a center for the exchange of dried fish, palm oil, and indigenous crafts, sustaining livelihoods across the region.
Despite its calm waters and scenic appeal, qualities that position it as a promising leisure and tourism destination, the area’s economic potential remained largely underutilized due to prolonged infrastructural deficits.
This trajectory is now being transformed through the ongoing construction of the 3.96km Adadia–Ekim Enen–Esuk Odu Beach Road, a project facilitated by Senator Aniekan Bassey in alignment with Governor Umo Eno’s ARISE Agenda on infrastructure development.
Upon completion, the road will establish a direct and dependable transport corridor, significantly reducing travel time and logistics costs for farmers, fishermen, and residents of Uruan and adjoining communities. By linking inland agricultural zones with Issiet Market and extending to Esuk Odu’s coastal trade routes, the project will enhance the efficient movement of goods and services.
Improved accessibility is expected to stimulate growth across key sectors, including fisheries, aquaculture, sand mining, and small-scale tourism. It will enable farmers to transport perishable produce more efficiently, minimize post-harvest losses, and provide traders with a safer, more reliable supply chain. Furthermore, the improved infrastructure is likely to attract private sector investment in hospitality, recreation, and related services, thereby generating employment and boosting local economic activity.
Residents, including farmers and fishermen, have expressed deep appreciation to Senator Aniekan Bassey for facilitating the project, describing it as a long-awaited solution to persistent mobility challenges. Beyond improved access, they view the road as a symbol of renewed economic prospects and inclusive development.

Senator Bassey
This initiative underscores Senator Bassey’s commitment to grassroots development. It reinforces his support for Governor Umo Eno’s ARISE Agenda, which prioritizes rural transformation as a catalyst for sustainable growth in Akwa Ibom State.
Rt. Hon. Sunday Bassey
News
ADC Reveals Why Amupitan Must Resign
ADC Reveals Why Amupitan Must Resign
Amupitan must resign. The recent revelation linking a pro-Bola Ahmed Tinubu tweet of 2023 to the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Professor Amupitan, is not merely disturbing, it is a grave affront to the integrity of our electoral system.
In a democracy, the umpire must be above suspicion. He must not only be independent, he must be seen, beyond any reasonable doubt, to be independent. That is the minimum standard required of anyone entrusted with the sacred duty of conducting free and fair elections.
However, more troubling is the desperate attempt to tamper with digital records, to erase evidence of his previous partisanship.
This is not a trivial matter. It is a calculated assault on truth and accountability.
A man who manipulates records to save himself cannot be trusted to safeguard the mandate of millions.
Over the past few days, it has been repeatedly revealed that Professor Amupitan, by his conduct, his utterances, and now by incontrovertible digital evidence, has fallen far below the standard expected of an electoral umpire. The referee cannot be running around in the shirt of one of the teams he’s supposed to officiate in a match.
This is why Professor Amupitan must resign.

ADC
Now. Anything less is an insult to the Nigerian people and a dangerous precedent for our democracy. Relying on this evidence, ADC will be updating our petitions to all relevant institutions, including to foreign governments and the Nigeria Bar Association, NBA.
We will also renew and escalate our civil disobedience action until the INEC Chairman leaves office.
News
NAF Elevates 38 Senior Officers To Wing Commander, Deepen Operational Leadership, Combat Readiness
NAF Elevates 38 Senior Officers To Wing Commander, Deepen Operational Leadership, Combat Readiness
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF), on Friday, 10 April 2026, decorated 38 senior officers with the rank of Wing Commander during a colourful ceremony held at the NAF Officers’ Mess, Abuja. Describing the promotion as a well-earned recognition of discipline, character, and sustained excellence in service, the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal SK Aneke, said the advancement reflects the officers’ proven professionalism and readiness to assume higher command responsibilities.
He noted that the newly promoted officers have consistently demonstrated the leadership capacity, sound judgement, and commitment required to drive mission success within the increasingly complex national security environment.
Represented by the Chief of Administration, Headquarters Nigerian Air Force, Air Vice Marshal AA Martins, the CAS emphasised that the evolving nature of contemporary security challenges requires officers who are focused, adaptable, and operationally decisive. He expressed confidence that the newly elevated Wing Commanders would strengthen command effectiveness, sustain the momentum of ongoing air operations, and further enhance combat readiness across operational theatres.
Stressing that leadership is defined not merely by rank but by integrity, courage, and the ability to inspire, he charged them to lead with fairness, serve with honour, and remain steadfast in upholding the core values and fighting spirit of the Nigerian Air Force in support of national security objectives.
In his earlier remarks, the Commander, Headquarters NAF Camp Abuja, Air Commodore Imoke, reminded the officers that their new rank represents both professional achievement and a greater call to service, accountability, and institutional responsibility. He urged them to wear the rank with humility, courage, and unwavering professionalism, in keeping with the proud traditions and enduring ethos of the Service.

NAF Elevates 38 Senior Officers
The ceremony was attended by senior officers, families, friends, and well-wishers, underscoring the significance of the milestone in strengthening the Nigerian Air Force’s leadership cadre and reinforcing its operational effectiveness.
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