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.