A coalition of Niger Delta groups on Friday raised the alarm over what it described as a shocking national security concern, calling on President Bola Tinubu to immediately order a probe into former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, over alleged comments suggesting that the phone of Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, was tapped.
The groups said El-Rufai allegedly disclosed during a national television interview that an individual intercepted the phone of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, and enabled him to listen to private conversations.
Describing the alleged statement as “deeply disturbing” and “a potential breach of Nigeria’s security framework,” the coalition warned that if such interception occurred, it would amount to a grave criminal violation with far-reaching implications.
“This is not politics. This is national security,” the coalition declared.
According to the group, the Office of the National Security Adviser sits at the heart of Nigeria’s intelligence coordination, counter-terrorism strategy and internal security management. Any compromise of its communication infrastructure, they argued, could endanger state operations and undermine public confidence in the country’s security institutions.
In a strongly worded joint statement signed by Ifeanyi O. Blackson, Abbey Georgewill, Ediri Tare Ogheneovo, Nsika Okon Moses, Toritseju O. Menetie and Akintoye Adedeji Prince, the coalition demanded that security agencies immediately invite El-Rufai for questioning.
Blackson described the alleged admission as “a grave violation of national security protocols,” urging the Department of State Services, DSS, to act without delay.
Georgewill stressed that no political calculation should override the sanctity of intelligence institutions, warning that silence could erode public trust.
Ogheneovo called the alleged development “an alarming revelation,” insisting that any unauthorised interception of the NSA’s communications must attract swift legal consequences, regardless of status.
Moses said the issue transcends partisan divides and cautioned that failure to investigate would set a dangerous precedent where sensitive state communications are trivialised.
Menetie demanded transparency, noting that Nigerians deserve clarity on whether such a breach occurred and who was responsible.
Prince urged President Tinubu to demonstrate zero tolerance for any act capable of undermining national security structures, stressing that accountability is essential to preserving institutional integrity.
The coalition further called for a full-scale, independent investigation by the DSS and other relevant security agencies, insisting that El-Rufai should publicly clarify the circumstances surrounding the alleged interception, including the identity of the individual involved.
As of the time of filing this report, there was no official response from El-Rufai, nor confirmation from federal authorities on whether an investigation had been initiated.
The controversy has since ignited debate across political and civil society spaces, with observers warning that how the matter is handled could either reinforce confidence in Nigeria’s security architecture or deepen existing political fault lines.
