EFCC releases El-Rufai without reason for holding him, hands him over to DSS – Wakili, Wala
*Another opposition figure “Nasir El-Rufai” in the hand of Yoruba – IG Wala
By KEMI KASUMU
The DEFENDER recalls, in particular, upon his return into an attempted arrest at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja that Mallam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai said the drama was an ostensibly orchestrated handiwork of National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, adding that he got to know that the EFCC was not involved but ICPC chairman using the DSS operatives to arrest him upon return and hand him over to its Commission acting on order from the presidency.
The 2027 politics keeps getting more interesting daily as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is said to have released opposition coalition’s African Democratic Congress (ADC) frontliner, Mallam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, without the Tinubu’s government being able to explain to Nigerians for what reason did it hold him for 60 hours.
Public affairs analyst, Imran U. Wakili, disclosed this in a post on his X handle Wednesday February 18, 2026.
He, however, said the EFCC handed him over to the Department of State Services (DSS) for undisclosed reason. Handing over to DSS being interpretation for DSS laying in waiting and picking him immediately after his release right within the premises of the EFCC.
He said, “Mallam Nasir El-Rufai was yesterday (Wednesday) released by the EFCC, and immediately arrested by the DSS.
“The EFCC detained Mallam for almost 60 hours, that is over two days, yet released him without offering any clear explanation to Nigerians as to why he was kept. All we saw were loud headlines of “N432bn”, the usual accusations, but no detailed briefing, no formal clarification. That clearly suggests that this is merely politics and the government flexing it’s muscles because they can’t (stand) any oposition, they realized that they have all the governors but they don’t have anybody that have credibility in the eyes of the Northern population. They want to create a record against Mallam, a man who was never detained by any security agency despite years of allegations.
“This can only mean one thing, think about it Mallam was abroad and after the invite he returned openly. If he was guilty of anything, he would not come back on his own. Mallam till date has the full financial records of every kobo of Kaduna State funds, how it was spent, and where it went for throughout his 8 years. They will not find anything on him, because there is nothing to find, that is why they have no choice but to hand him over to the DSS, because they have nothing concrete on him.
“Mallam is not corrupt, this is something many people know, and many don’t know but they will find out now. The residents of Kaduna witnessed his eight years in office, they can see the projects, they know where their funds are.
“The DSS will do their own part and finish. The matter will go to court, and we will be here when Mallam comes out if truly the rule of law is allowed to take its course.
“To those carrying out, and those celebrating this grave injustice and abuse of power, we will still be here when the tables turn, most of them where celebrating Mallam two years ago, this personally is a learning process for me, about people.
“I am certain he will come out unbent, unbroken, and full of spirit.
“Mallam’s integrity is one thing I am certain of. Financial misappropriation, definitely not him.”
In the meantime, IG Wala, an ally of the former Kaduna State governor, viewed arrest of El-Rufai as case of another opposition in the hands of Yoruba in power.
“Malam Nasiru El-rufai was granted bail at about 8 pm yesterday, Wednesday but was immediately picked up by armed operatives, who laid an ambush for him at the premises of the EFCC headquarters, witnesses said.
“Same routine like that of Malami Abubakar by the Tinubu’s ethnically and bigoted security chains against Nasiru of opposition.
Shamelessly, EFCC_Y, DSSS_Y, IGP_Y, DPP_Y, AGF_Y, FCC_Y, even ETCs_Yoruba.
“Where is the room for justice ⚖️ here?”
To many, the multi-dimensional drama being played by the Tinubu government against the opposition, El-Rufai and Malami inclusive, are not surprising as notable members like former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Governor of Rivers State Rotimi Amaechi, former Governor of Sokoto State Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, Governor of Bauchi State Bala Mohammed and Abubakar Malami SAN has always said it was Tinubu’s plan to weaken credible opposition to pave the way for his re-election in 2027.
The DEFENDER recalls, in particular, upon his return into an attempted arrest at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja that Mallam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai said the drama was an ostensibly orchestrated handiwork of National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, adding that he got to know that the EFCC was not involved but ICPC chairman using the DSS operatives to arrest him upon return and hand him over to its Commission acting on order from the presidency.
