El-Rufai Alleges Ribadu Ordered Arrest, Says Intercepted Calls Exposed Plot

El-Rufai Alleges Ribadu Ordered Arrest, Says Intercepted Calls Exposed Plot

Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has alleged that Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, directly ordered security operatives to arrest him — a directive he claimed was uncovered through intercepted phone conversations.

Speaking during an interview on Arise News Channel on Friday, El-Rufai said associates tapped communications allegedly linking Ribadu to a plan to detain him upon his return to the country. According to him, the directive became known after what he described as a counter-surveillance effort by his camp.

“Ribadu made the call because we listened to their calls. The government thinks that they’re the only ones that listen to calls. But we also have our ways. He made the call. He gave the order that they should arrest me,” El-Rufai said.

While admitting that intercepting phone calls without judicial approval is illegal, the former governor claimed such practices are common within government circles.

“That technically is illegal. I know. But the government does it all the time. They listen to our calls all the time without a court order. But someone tapped his phone and told us that he gave the order,” he added.

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The allegation follows an incident at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, where security operatives reportedly approached El-Rufai after his arrival from Cairo, Egypt. He said he refused to accompany them because they failed to present a valid arrest warrant or formal written invitation, insisting that due process must be followed.

El-Rufai further alleged that the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) enlisted operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) to execute what he described as an attempted unlawful arrest. He accused the ICPC of increasingly acting as a “personal tool” of Ribadu, claiming the anti-corruption body facilitated the move through security operatives.

Despite criticising the ICPC, El-Rufai commended the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for what he described as professionalism. He confirmed he would honour the commission’s invitation over matters linked to his tenure as Kaduna governor, saying he was prepared to appear before the agency.

“The EFCC has shown itself to be more professional in this particular instance. And on Monday, by the grace of God, I’ll go and see them,” he stated.

As of press time, Ribadu and the Office of the National Security Adviser had not publicly responded to the allegations. Legal analysts note that under Nigerian law, interception of private communications requires judicial authorisation, raising questions about the legality of the claims made by the former governor.

During the same interview, El-Rufai addressed the unresolved disappearance of Abubakar Idris Dadiyata, a social media commentator abducted from his Kaduna residence in 2019. The former governor denied any involvement and rejected suggestions that his administration played a role in the activist’s disappearance.

“Dadiyata lives in Kaduna; he was not a critic of Kaduna State. We barely knew he resided in Kaduna until his abduction was reported. He was a critic of the Kano government at the time,” he said, adding that questions should instead be directed at political figures in Kano.

Human rights organisations have continued to demand a transparent investigation into Dadiyata’s disappearance, which remains unresolved. The unfolding controversy adds to growing political tension surrounding anti-corruption investigations, alleged security agency overreach, and internal power dynamics at the federal level. No independent evidence has yet been publicly presented to substantiate the claim that Ribadu directly ordered El-Rufai’s arrest.

El-Rufai Alleges Ribadu Ordered Arrest, Says Intercepted Calls Exposed Plot