BREAKING: Natasha blocked at Abuja airport during UK trip

DDM News

Controversy erupted on Thursday as Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan was briefly stopped at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja by immigration officials.

Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) gathered that the Kogi Central senator was held for close to one hour while attempting to board a flight to the United Kingdom.

She was traveling in the company of her husband to attend her stepson’s graduation ceremony in the UK when she was informed of a travel restriction.

Sources confirmed that her name had been placed on a watch list allegedly at the request of the National Assembly leadership.

“She was told that the leadership of the National Assembly requested that she be considered a flight risk and placed on a watch list,” a source told Premium Times.

The source questioned the legality of the action, noting that there was no court order restricting Senator Natasha’s movements.

They also emphasized that she has not missed any court dates and has been complying fully with her legal obligations.

The senator reportedly made several calls during the incident, protesting her treatment and asserting her constitutional right to travel freely.

After a tense verification process lasting nearly an hour, her passport was eventually cleared, and she was allowed to board the flight.

This airport incident follows a week of rising tensions between Senator Natasha and the Senate leadership over the controversial reallocation of her seat.

She has accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of orchestrating an attempt to dislodge her from the chamber, a charge he has denied.

Earlier in the week, Natasha was blocked from entering the Senate chambers despite presenting what she claimed was a court order authorizing her return.

Security officials reportedly denied her access, stating that there was no valid court order supporting her claim.

These developments have raised serious legal and ethical questions about how institutional powers are being used in what appears to be a political standoff.

Observers say the decision to place her on a watch list without any public record of a court order or travel ban raises concerns about abuse of executive or legislative influence.

Human rights advocates have also begun voicing concerns, warning that the use of state institutions to settle political scores could erode public trust in Nigeria’s democratic systems.

As of the time of filing this report, Senator Natasha is believed to have arrived safely in the United Kingdom.

No official statement has been released by her media team, though sources close to the senator say she intends to respond publicly after her family event.

The incident continues to dominate headlines and social media commentary, with many Nigerians demanding accountability and transparency in the matter.

The confrontation may become a pivotal moment in the ongoing clash between a sitting senator and the powerful leadership of the Nigerian Senate.

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