Former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has alleged that security operatives planned to arrest his elder brother, Bashir El-Rufai, in an attempt to pressure him into negotiations.

El-Rufai made the claim in a video statement, noting that his brother was unable to attend their mother’s burial due to concerns over the alleged plan. According to him, the intended strategy was to detain Bashir upon arrival in Nigeria and use him as leverage.

“My elder brother, Bashir El-Rufai, couldn’t make it because we learned that there was a plan to arrest him. They believe that if they get him, I will negotiate,” he said.

Their mother, Hajiya Umma El-Rufai, passed away in Cairo, Egypt, on Friday. Her remains were subsequently transported to Abuja, where she was buried on Sunday.

The development comes amid El-Rufai’s ongoing legal challenges. The former governor was recently arrested and detained by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) over allegations of corruption and money laundering.

He was arraigned before a Federal High Court in Kaduna on March 24 on a 10-count charge. The case has been adjourned until March 31, 2026, for the hearing of pending applications, including his bail request.

El-Rufai was, however, granted temporary release from ICPC custody to enable him attend his mother’s funeral rites.