General News
Kaduna Victims’ Coalition Demands Probe of Alleged Abuses Under Former Governor el-Rufai
A civil society alliance, the Kaduna Victims’ Coalition, has called for full accountability over alleged human rights abuses committed during the administration of former Kaduna State governor Nasir el‑Rufai, insisting that survivors and families of victims will no longer remain silent.
In a statement issued Monday, the coalition said it represents “countless individuals, families, and communities” who endured hardship, fear, and loss during el-Rufai’s tenure as governor of Kaduna State between 2015 and 2023. It said its members include community leaders, business figures, public servants, traditional rulers, clerics, academics, journalists, and lawyers.
High-Profile Cases Cited
The group highlighted several cases it described as emblematic of impunity during the period. Among them is the killing of Maiwada Raphael Galadima, the Agwam Adara, who was abducted in October 2018 and later murdered despite payment of ransom. According to the coalition, the incident occurred amid disputes surrounding restructuring of traditional institutions, including conversion of the Adara Chiefdom into an emirate structure. It alleged that suspects arrested in connection with the killing have not been successfully prosecuted and that their whereabouts remain unknown.
The statement also referenced the disappearance of Abubakar Idris, a lecturer at Federal University Dutsenma who was abducted from his residence in Barnawa, Kaduna, on August 2, 2019. The coalition noted he has remained missing for nearly seven years and that August 2026 will mark the seventh anniversary of his disappearance, when Nigerian law may presume death in absentia.
It further cited a December 23, 2019 social media post by Bashir el‑Rufai, son of the former governor, which it said was widely perceived as dismissive of public concern over Idris’ disappearance.
Allegations of Wider Pattern
The coalition accused the former administration of presiding over what it described as a pattern of arbitrary abductions, persecution of critics, reprisal violence, unlawful demolitions, mass dismissals of workers without due process, forced sackings of perceived opponents, and displacement of residents into exile. It alleged such actions bypassed constitutional safeguards and enabled unchecked executive power.
It expressed concern over what it called attempts to portray the former governor as a champion of due process and human rights, arguing that victims and their families are still seeking truth and justice.
Demands and Next Steps
The coalition said its primary demand is “accountability under the rule of law,” including independent investigations, prosecutions where evidence supports charges, and closure for affected families. It pledged to cooperate with law enforcement agencies, judicial bodies, and human rights institutions by providing testimonies and evidence.
Signatories
The statement was signed by several individuals and organizations, including Chidi Anselm Odinkalu, Audu Maikori, Gloria Ballason, Steven Kefas, Luka Binniyat, Segun Onibiyo, as well as groups such as House of Justice, Community Development & Rights Advocacy Foundation, Resilient Aid and Dialogue Initiative, Southern Kaduna Indigenously, Progressive Forum (SKIPFo), and Atrocities Watch Africa.
The coalition concluded with hashtags calling for justice and accountability, declaring that its campaign seeks to ensure that alleged abuses are investigated and that those responsible face due process under Nigerian law.
Supporters of former Kaduna State governor Nasir El‑Rufai were dispersed with tear gas on Monday during a protest at the headquarters of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in Abuja.
The demonstrators had gathered at the anti-graft agency’s office while the ex-governor honored an invitation to respond to allegations of multi-billion-naira fraud and corruption linked to his time in office. Security operatives moved in after the crowd reportedly became rowdy, firing tear gas to break up the gathering.
The development follows a weekend incident in which operatives of the Department of State Services allegedly attempted to arrest the former governor at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport shortly after he returned from Cairo, Egypt. He was not detained.
In a media interview after the airport episode, El-Rufai accused Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, of being the “brains” behind what he described as efforts to target him. Authorities have not publicly responded to that claim.
Officials have yet to issue a formal statement on Monday’s confrontation, and there were no immediate reports of injuries or arrests.
The Nigerian Senate has called on the management of the North-Central Development Commission (NCDC) to prioritise investments in agriculture and security as it implements its 2026 budget.
Chairman of the Senate Committee on NCDC, Titus Zam, made the call when the commission’s management appeared before the committee to defend its 2026 budget estimates.
Speaking after the session, Zam said the committee had reviewed all items in the estimates and found them relevant to the needs of the North-Central region.
“We have considered all the items on the estimates and found them very relevant and useful for the north-central region,” he said.
“As a committee overseeing this commission, we have requested them to prioritise their expenditures in line with their mandate so that people of the north-central region will benefit from their services and have value for resources that are allocated to them.”
He stressed that the commission’s development mandate must be sector-driven and not operate in isolation, noting that it should address key areas of the economy.
Zam listed priority sectors to include agriculture, security, health, education, public infrastructure, and other essential social services required by residents of the region.
“You know that north central is mostly agricultural and so agriculture must take pride of place, and it has been embedded in their budget,” he said.
He added that the commission was also considering collaboration with security experts and other stakeholders in the region to support security agencies in carrying out their responsibilities.
However, the lawmaker expressed dissatisfaction with the implementation of the capital component of the commission’s 2025 budget, though he acknowledged that implementation challenges affected the national budget generally during the period.
According to him, the committee reviewed the commission’s total estimate of ₦140 billion for the 2026 financial year and approved the figure for appropriation in the interest of the region.
“This is the resolution of the committee: we hereby approve the total figure of ₦140 billion for the 2026 financial year for the commission,” he said.
Abubakar Usman, a fisherman from Maiyama Local Government Area in Kebbi State, stole the spotlight at this year’s Argungu International Fishing Festival by landing a massive 59-kilogram fish, earning him the title of overall champion.
For his remarkable catch, Usman was awarded two brand-new Toyota vehicles by the Sokoto State Government, along with a cash prize of N1 million.
Second place went to Abdullahi Garba of Argungu Local Government Area, whose 40-kilogram fish secured him a Toyota saloon car donated by WACOTT Rice Mills Limited and N1 million in cash.
The third-place position was shared by Danlansu Dankani of Jega and another contestant, each presenting 34-kilogram catches. Both received N1 million and a motorcycle.
The festival’s grand finale, held in Argungu, drew a large audience and high-profile guests, including President Bola Tinubu, who served as the Special Guest of Honour.
Tinubu praised the festival as more than a competition, calling it a celebration of unity, cultural pride, and peaceful coexistence, while highlighting its potential to drive economic growth through tourism and natural resources.
The President also commended the Kebbi State Government for ensuring security and smooth organisation, applauding Governor Nasir Idris for his development initiatives.
Tinubu expressed gratitude for having the state’s ultra-modern secretariat named after him and promised continued federal support to boost peace and tourism in the region.
Governor Idris, in his address, cited key achievements of his administration, including expanded road networks, rehabilitation of health facilities, distribution of agricultural inputs, and timely payment of workers’ salaries, asserting that the government has fulfilled a significant portion of its campaign promises within three years.
Meanwhile, the Emir of Argungu, Muhammad Sama’ila-Mera, addressed a minor disruption that occurred before the President’s arrival, when more than 50,000 fishermen reportedly entered the Matan Fada River ahead of schedule.
The monarch underscored the festival’s cultural importance and urged the federal government to revive the stalled permanent fishing centre project, previously recognised by UNESCO.