CLAIM: Photo shows Nasir El-Rufai’s home during a raid by the ICPC

VERDICT: Misleading. The photo is generated using Artificial Intelligence tools

FULL STORY

An image widely shared on social media purports to depict equipment allegedly confiscated from the residence of former Kaduna State governor Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai following a search reportedly associated with Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu. According to several posts, the image is said to have been captured during the alleged raid at El-Rufai’s home and features devices purportedly used to monitor the NSA’s communications.

Why El-Rufai’s Home Was Searched

The viral claim gained traction after a series of real events involving investigations into the former governor of Kaduna state, Nasir El-Rufai.

In February 2026, El-Rufai was detained by Nigerian anti-corruption agencies as part of ongoing probes tied to alleged financial improprieties during his tenure as governor of Kaduna State between 2015 and 2023. The investigations intensified after the Kaduna State House of Assembly earlier recommended that security and anti-graft agencies probe him over allegations that public funds were diverted during his administration.

Around the same period, the federal government also filed charges accusing El-Rufai of unlawfully intercepting the telephone conversation of the National Security Adviser following a television interview, where El-Rufai claimed to have listened to a telephone conversation of the National Security Adviser.

Reports indicate that he was first detained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) before being released on bail, after which operatives of another agency took him into custody as investigations continued. During the investigation, authorities obtained a search warrant for his Abuja residence. It was later disclosed that multiple electronic devices, including phones, laptops, tablets and storage drives, were recovered during the search and were to be analysed as part of the probe.

These developments appear to have created fertile ground for misinformation online.

On the 2nd of March 2025, X user @MasterBolaji posted a photo with the caption, “So, El-Rufai was serious. He actually wiretapped the NSA calls. Wow”

The post has since generated over 200,000 views, almost 1000 likes, and 272 reshares.

A screenshot of the X post

The image circulating online shows what appears to be a table filled with surveillance equipment, cables, and communication devices. Supposed ICPC officials are seen wearing blue ICPC-crested vests. El-Rufai and his wife can be seen standing behind the male official, while he inspects the devices. Posts accompanying the image claim it depicts the equipment used to tap the NSA’s phone and that it was photographed during the search of El-Rufai’s residence.

However, there is no credible evidence linking the image to the search. A closer examination reveals several features typical of AI-generated images; some device labels in the image contain garbled or meaningless text, a common flaw produced by generative AI tools. The devices shown appear to be an improbable mix of surveillance hardware and generic electronics arranged in a highly stylised way, unlike how evidence is typically documented during searches.

These indicators strongly suggest the image was produced using generative AI software rather than those captured during an official operation.

Additionally, Nigerian news outlets that reported on the investigation did not publish this image in their coverage of the raid or the items recovered from the residence.

While authorities confirmed that electronic devices were recovered from El-Rufai’s residence, they have not released any photograph resembling the viral image.

Furthermore, the former governor has challenged the legality of the search in court and filed a lawsuit against the anti-corruption agency over the raid on his home.

This ongoing legal dispute has further fuelled speculation online, making it easier for misleading visuals to circulate.

CONCLUSION
The viral image claiming to show equipment recovered from Nasir El-Rufai’s home during a search related to the alleged phone-tapping of the National Security Adviser is AI-generated and not a real photograph from the operation.

While authorities did search the former governor’s residence and seize electronic devices as part of an ongoing investigation, the circulating image has no verified connection to the case.

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