A former governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-rufai has revealed that Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, NSA, Nuhu Ribadu’s phone conversation was tapped into, raising fresh concerns about data, privacy breach.
El-Rurai, who made the assertion in an interview with Arise television anchor on Friday February 13, 2026, admitted that he listened to his conversation.
He also alleged that someone told him Ribadu’s phone was tapped, while ordering his attempted arrest at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International airport on Friday by security operatives, who seized passport upon his arrival from a flight from Egypt.
The former Governor, admitted however that it was illegal to bug into his phone conversation, but insisted that what Nigerian government often pries into citizens conversations without a valid court order.
According to him, “And this is a modus of the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related offences Commission, ICPC that has increasingly become a personal tool of Nuhu Ribadu. Nuhu made the call and made the order that I must be in custody yesterday (Thursday)”.
Asked how he knew that Nuhu made the call, El-Rufai insisted, he (Ribadu) made the call because we listen to their calls. The government thinks that they are the only one that listens to calls. But we also have our ways.
He made the call and he gave and gave the order”.
Also, when asked if he tapped his phone calls, El-rufai said, “someone tapped his phone and told me. I know that it’s illegal, 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 (Ribadu) gave the order. So, the EFCC I think has shown itself to be more professional in this particular instance, and on Monday by the grace of God, I will go and see them”, he said.
The two-term former Governor vowed to the honour the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC invitation on Monday February 16, 2026.
Goodness