Senator Dino Melaye has been arrested by the police at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja on his way to Morocco.
The politician confirmed the arrest on his social media handles.
Melaye was declared wanted for his alleged involvement in a murder case and provision of support for criminal elements in his home state of Kogi.
“I have just been arrested at the international wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe airport on my way to Morocco for an official engagement sponsored by the Federal Govt after checking in,” he said on Twitter.
Melaye said he was blocked as he was undergoing security and immigration screening and was told that the police had place him on its ‘no fly’ list and that he was therefore barred from travelling at the airport.
Melaye said he “snatched back” his passport from the official who confiscated it and made to proceed to board his flight, “but I was then cycled by police officers trying to hold me and saying I am on Interpol wanted list.
“We have called Interpol and they said it is a lie. Someone has also mentioned to me that my name was placed at the airport by a police commissioner.
“So here we are, a standoff at a public place at our international airport. We are here.”
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) has confirmed the arrest of Sen. Dino Melaye at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on Monday morning.
Spokesman of the Service, Sunday James, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that Melaye was arrested by Immigration officials “based on instruction”.
The confirmation came hours after the senator, who represents Kogi West, announced the arrest on his Twitter handle at 7:32 a.m.
“I have just been arrested at the international wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport on my way to Morocco for an official engagement sponsored by the Federal Government after checking in,” he tweeted.
The police recently declared Melaye wanted after he was accused of supplying arms to some murder suspects, who allegedly implicated him.
The senator denies the allegations, which he describes as politically motivated.