Nasir El-Rufai is facing mounting calls for investigation after claiming the NSA’s phone was bugged, a disclosure that has sparked national security concerns and fresh political tensions.
Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, is under pressure following his claim that the phone of National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu was tapped. Appearing on Arise TV, he said, “Ribadu made the call because we listened to their calls… But someone tapped his phone and told us that he gave the order.” Presidential aides demanded investigation, with Bayo Onanuga writing, “El-Rufai confesses to wire-tapping Nigeria’s NSA on TV.”
Security and legal experts warned the allegation, if true, amounts to a grave breach of national security. A retired DSS director described it as “extremely grave,” noting it could expose “operational plans, sources and methods.” Analyst Kabiru Adamu said, “The technology to do that is available, but it’s highly sophisticated,” while lawyer AbdulAzeez Rahman cited constitutional and cybercrime laws criminalising unlawful interception without court authorisation.
The controversy widened as former Kano governor Abdullahi Ganduje rejected El-Rufai’s claim linking him to the abduction of activist Abubakar Idris, aka Dadiyata. Through spokesman Muhammad Garba, Ganduje described the allegation “as reckless, unfounded and a clear attempt to shift responsibility.” El-Rufai had said, “That is all I know,” referencing an alleged confession by a police officer.
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