Confusion After El‑Rufai’s Son Tweets Father’s Release, Then Deletes It

Confusion gripped social media on Saturday following a now‑deleted post by Bashir El‑Rufai, son of former Kaduna State governor Mallam Nasir El‑Rufai, suggesting his father had been released from detention by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

The post, shared minutes after the family announced the death of El‑Rufai’s mother, Hajiya Umma who reportedly died while receiving medical treatment in Egypt praised public support and celebrated what he described as his father’s triumph over “unlawful & illegal detention.”

“Alhamdulillah. My beloved great legend of a father… is being released from his unlawful & illegal detention at the hands of one of the most corrupt agencies in the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” Bashir wrote in the now‑deleted message before expressing gratitude for support and resilience “as the El‑Rufai’s always do.”

El‑Rufai has been in the custody of the ICPC since February 19, following his initial release by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). He returned to Nigeria from Egypt on February 12 and was taken into ICPC custody amid ongoing investigations.

Hours after Bashir’s tweet was removed, there was no official confirmation from the ICPC on the former governor’s release, leaving the public uncertain about his status.

The developments come amid heightened attention on El‑Rufai’s detention and the recent loss in his family, sparking widespread reaction online and among political circles.