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.
President Bola Tinubu has expressed deep sympathy for the traders and residents of Kano State following a destructive fire at Kano’s Singer Market over the weekend.
This was disclosed in statement issued by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, on Sunday in Abuja.
The blaze, which broke out on Saturday evening and continued into Sunday morning, caused significant damage to the food market. The President, who had earlier contacted Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf for a situation report, described the incident as “tragic.”
President Tinubu expressed particular concern that the fire comes less than two weeks after a previous blaze destroyed dozens of shops and property at the same market.
In response, the President has ordered a comprehensive investigation into the causes of the recurrent fires, emphasizing the need to safeguard traders’ livelihoods and prevent further loss.