General News
Calls Mount for Probe as El-Rufai Alleges Phone Tapping of NSA
Former Nasir El-Rufai is facing mounting criticism after claiming that the phone of Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, was secretly intercepted, a remark that has sparked calls for an official investigation.
El-Rufai made the allegation during an appearance on the Arise TV Morning Show, where he said he became aware of a supposed plan to arrest him through a leaked conversation obtained from Ribadu’s phone.
“Ribadu made the call because we listened to their calls,” he said, adding that although such surveillance is technically illegal, governments often monitor communications without court orders.
The statement has drawn sharp reactions from presidential aides, security experts and political figures, many of whom argue that the comment amounts to an admission of unlawful interception and warrants formal scrutiny.
The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, questioned whether El-Rufai or his associates possessed wire-tapping capabilities and urged authorities to investigate. Similarly, the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Temitope Ajayi, said the former governor should identify those responsible if he benefited from illegally obtained information.
A retired director of the Department of State Services described the allegation as “extremely grave,” warning that compromising the NSA’s communications could expose sensitive intelligence operations, sources and national security plans. He recommended a forensic review of affected devices and an integrity assessment across relevant agencies.
Another retired military intelligence officer cautioned that any breach could undermine Nigeria’s security partnerships, particularly with allies such as the United States, and potentially disrupt intelligence sharing.
Security analyst Kabiru Adamu noted that communication-interception technology is highly sophisticated and usually restricted to governments or authorised intelligence bodies. If verified, he said, the claims could carry legal consequences. He also warned that any probe could be interpreted politically, especially as the 2027 elections approach.
Constitutional lawyer AbdulAzeez Rahman stated that unlawful interception violates Section 37 of the Constitution of Nigeria, which guarantees privacy of communications. He added that both the Nigerian Communications Act and the Cybercrime Act criminalise unauthorised surveillance and provide penalties including fines and imprisonment, while evidence obtained illegally may be inadmissible in court.
Meanwhile, former Kano State governor Abdullahi Ganduje has also called for an investigation after El-Rufai linked him to the disappearance of Kaduna-based activist Abubakar Idris, popularly known as Dadiyata. Ganduje’s camp dismissed the allegation as reckless and politically motivated, insisting that responsibility for security in Kaduna at the time rested with the state government.
Observers say the controversy risks widening political divisions and raising renewed concerns over the misuse of surveillance tools within Nigeria’s security system. Whether authorities open a formal inquiry may determine how the situation develops in the coming weeks.
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.
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.
The Delta State Government has carried out renovations on more than 400 dispensaries across the state, alongside upgrades of several general and cottage hospitals, in a move aimed at improving access to quality healthcare.
Commissioner for Information, Charles Aniagwu, revealed that a new Specialist Hospital is currently under construction in Osubi, Okpe Local Government Area. The facility, when completed, will complement existing tertiary health institutions in Asaba, Oghara, and Warri, further expanding the state’s medical capacity.
He noted that beyond infrastructural improvements, the administration has invested in modern medical equipment for public hospitals. This includes advanced diagnostic machines such as MRI scanners, which were previously available mainly in private health facilities.
Aniagwu stressed that the government is not only focused on building structures but also on equipping them with up-to-date technology and strengthening the workforce required to manage them effectively.
According to him, the Oborevwori administration’s emphasis on grassroots infrastructure, improved healthcare access, and human capital development is part of a broader strategy to enhance living standards and promote inclusive growth across Delta State.