Department Of State Services Breaks Silence, Reveals Why It Seized Nasir El-Rufai’s Passport

The Department of State Services (DSS) has explained that it seized the passport of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, to prevent him from leaving Nigeria amid an ongoing investigation.

A security source revealed that El-Rufai and his sons are being investigated over their alleged involvement in the disappearance of Abubakar Idris, popularly known as Dadiyata, in 2019. The source said the former governor planned to travel to Egypt after visiting the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Crimes Commission (ICPC), prompting the DSS to act.

The disclosure comes after an incident last Thursday at Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, where El-Rufai’s passport was seized upon his return to Nigeria. According to the source, the former governor’s attempts to publicly shift blame or raise sympathy, including claims involving a remorseful police officer and former Kano State Governor Abdullahi Ganduje, were aimed at diverting attention from the investigation.

Dadiyata, a lecturer at the Federal University Dutsinma, Katsina State, went missing on August 1, 2019, after being abducted from his Kaduna home. Investigations have revealed that El-Rufai was aware of the abduction and allegedly used various individuals as an alibi to deflect responsibility. The DSS also noted discrepancies in statements made by El-Rufai’s sons, which suggest knowledge of Dadiyata prior to his disappearance.

The source emphasized that the DSS has been coordinating with other security agencies, including the EFCC and ICPC, to investigate the case thoroughly. The timing of the passport seizure was strategic, ensuring El-Rufai and his sons remain available for questioning while legal obligations under Nigerian law regarding crime reporting and evidence concealment are observed.

The DSS assured that the probe has no political undertone and is focused strictly on the circumstances surrounding Dadiyata’s disappearance and any potential involvement of the El-Rufai family.