Security Operatives Disperse El-Rufai Supporters Protesting at EFCC Headquarters

Supporters of former Kaduna State governor Nasir El‑Rufai were dispersed with tear gas on Monday during a protest at the headquarters of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in Abuja.

The demonstrators had gathered at the anti-graft agency’s office while the ex-governor honored an invitation to respond to allegations of multi-billion-naira fraud and corruption linked to his time in office. Security operatives moved in after the crowd reportedly became rowdy, firing tear gas to break up the gathering.

The development follows a weekend incident in which operatives of the Department of State Services allegedly attempted to arrest the former governor at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport shortly after he returned from Cairo, Egypt. He was not detained.

In a media interview after the airport episode, El-Rufai accused Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, of being the “brains” behind what he described as efforts to target him. Authorities have not publicly responded to that claim.

Officials have yet to issue a formal statement on Monday’s confrontation, and there were no immediate reports of injuries or arrests.