DSS Arrests El-Rufai Few Minutes After Release By EFCC

NIGERIA, KADUNA – The Department of State Security Service (DSS), has on Wednesday night arrested former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai just few minutes after he was released by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

El-Rufai is been held by the EFCC since Monday over corruption allegations since.

He was granted bail at about 8 pm on Wednesday but was immediately picked up by operatives of the DSS who laid an ambush for him at the premises of the EFCC headquarters, witnesses said.

The politician’s arrest by the DSS is linked to allegations that he unlawfully intercepted the phone communications of Nigeria’s National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu.

• DSS Arrests El-Rufai Few Minutes After Release By EFCC
• BREAKING: Tinubu Signs Amended Electoral Act Ahead of 2027 Elections
• BREAKING: PDP Chairmanship Candidate Dumps Race, Endorses APC in FCT
• Eleven Rooms, Nine Days: The Price Imaobong Paid For Saying No
• E-transmission Can’t Guarantee Credible Elections, Says Sani

On Monday, the DSS charged him with cybercrimes before the Federal High Court in Abuja over the phone-tapping allegation.

Phone interception allegations
The case, filed as FHC/ABJ/CR/99/2026, followed Mr El-Rufai’s remarks during a live Arise TV interview on Friday.

He claimed that the NSA’s phone was tapped and that he heard the NSA directing security operatives to detain him.

He alleged that the directive prompted an attempted arrest at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on Thursday, where he exchanged heated words with security personnel.

Witnesses said officials briefly confiscated his international passport before escorting him out amid chants from supporters.

In response to the interview, SSS prosecutors filed cybercrime charges against Mr El-Rufai on Monday.

The prosecution said he admitted to intercepting the NSA’s communications, failed to report others who conducted unlawful interceptions, and compromised public safety and national security by using technical systems to tap the NSA’s phone.

Truth live news learned that the alleged acts were said to violate provisions of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) (Amendment) Act, 2024, and the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003. No arraignment date has been fixed, and Mr El-Rufai has not publicly responded to the charges.