“No More Impunity, No More Silence”: Kaduna Victims’ Coalition Demands Full Accountability for Alleged Abuses Under Nasir el-Rufai
The problem, many survivors insist, is deeper than political rivalry or partisan disagreement. According to members of the Kaduna Victims’ Coalition, the crisis associated with the eight-year administration of Nasir el-Rufai is not a matter of rhetoric—it is a matter of unresolved trauma, alleged impunity, and unfinished justice.
In a strongly worded statement, the coalition—comprising survivors, bereaved families, civil society actors, professionals, and community leaders—has publicly demanded a full, independent, and transparent accountability process for what it describes as “eight years of profound hardship, fear, and loss” during el-Rufai’s tenure as Governor of Kaduna State from 2015 to 2023.
Their message is direct and unambiguous: no more impunity, no more silence.
A Coalition of Survivors Across Kaduna State
The Kaduna Victims’ Coalition says it represents a broad cross-section of society: traditional rulers, faith leaders, academics, journalists, lawyers, civil servants (serving and retired), business leaders, and grassroots community figures.
They argue that the impact of policies and events during the el-Rufai administration was not isolated or incidental, but systemic—affecting individuals and communities across ethnic, religious, and professional lines.
Kaduna State, historically one of Nigeria’s most politically strategic and demographically diverse states, has long grappled with complex security challenges, including banditry, communal violence, and ethno-religious tensions. However, members of the coalition assert that during the period between 2015 and 2023, certain state actions and alleged inactions deepened divisions and left victims without closure.
The Murder of HRH Dr. Maiwada Raphael Galadima: A Symbol of Unresolved Justice
One of the most prominent cases highlighted by the coalition is the tragic abduction and killing of HRH Dr. Maiwada Raphael Galadima, the Agwam Adara (paramount ruler of the Adara Chiefdom).
In October 2018, the traditional ruler was abducted and later murdered despite ransom payments reportedly made in an attempt to secure his freedom. His killing shocked Kaduna State and reverberated nationally. The incident occurred amid controversial restructuring of traditional institutions in the state, including the reorganization of chiefdoms and emirates.
The restructuring policy—defended by the el-Rufai administration as an administrative reform—was criticized by some communities as politically motivated and destabilizing. In the case of the Adara Chiefdom, the restructuring into an emirate framework intensified pre-existing ethnic and communal tensions.
Years later, questions remain. While arrests were reportedly made in connection with the murder, the coalition contends that prosecutions have not reached a transparent and conclusive end. They state that the whereabouts and legal status of suspects remain unclear, reinforcing concerns about stalled justice.
For many, the Agwam Adara case has become emblematic of broader frustrations: a high-profile crime without definitive closure.
The Disappearance of Abubakar Idris (Dadiyata)
Another case central to the coalition’s demand for accountability is the disappearance of Abubakar Idris, widely known as Dadiyata.
Dadiyata, a lecturer at the Federal University Dutsenma and a vocal social media commentator, was abducted from his residence in Barnawa, Kaduna, on August 2, 2019. He was known for his criticism of governance issues, including policies of political leaders in northern Nigeria.
Since that night, he has not been seen.
His disappearance sparked nationwide and international concern, with civil society organizations, activists, and human rights advocates calling for investigations. Despite public assurances at various points, no definitive findings have been publicly presented regarding his whereabouts.
August 2026 will mark seven years since his abduction—an important legal threshold under Nigerian law, where a prolonged disappearance may trigger statutory presumption of death.
The coalition views Dadiyata’s unresolved case as a chilling example of the dangers faced by dissenting voices and a test of Nigeria’s commitment to freedom of expression under the Constitution.
Controversy Surrounding Public Reactions
Adding to the controversy, members of the coalition reference a social media post by Bashir el-Rufai, son of the former governor, made on December 23, 2019. The tweet was widely interpreted by critics as dismissive or insensitive in relation to calls for Dadiyata’s safe return.
Although the tweet did not constitute legal evidence of wrongdoing, its tone amplified public outrage at the time and reinforced perceptions among some citizens that victims’ concerns were not treated with sufficient gravity.
Allegations of Broader Patterns of Governance
Beyond these individual cases, the coalition alleges a broader pattern during the el-Rufai administration that included:
Arbitrary arrests and detentions
Persecution of critics and journalists
Reprisal violence
Demolition of properties without due process
Mass dismissals of civil servants
Political pressure leading to job losses
Forced displacement and exile of perceived opponents
It is important to note that the el-Rufai administration consistently defended many of its policies—such as public sector reforms and urban renewal demolitions—as necessary governance measures designed to modernize Kaduna State, reduce fiscal waste, and enforce urban planning standards.
For example, mass retrenchments were officially framed as civil service restructuring to address payroll inefficiencies and ghost workers. Similarly, demolitions were presented as enforcement of planning laws.
However, the coalition contends that in numerous instances, constitutional safeguards and due process were either insufficiently applied or bypassed, resulting in disproportionate hardship for affected individuals.
Immunity vs. Accountability
Under Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution (as amended), governors enjoy immunity from prosecution while in office. The coalition argues that this constitutional provision, though legally grounded, can inadvertently shield alleged misconduct from immediate judicial scrutiny.
Now that el-Rufai is no longer in office, coalition members insist that the principle of equality before the law must prevail.
Their demand is not framed as political vengeance but as a call for:
Independent investigations
Evidence-based prosecutions where warranted
Judicial transparency
Public reporting of findings
Psychological and restorative closure for families
They emphasize that accountability strengthens, rather than weakens, democracy.
The Broader Context: Human Rights and Governance in Nigeria
Nigeria’s human rights landscape has faced sustained scrutiny from both domestic and international observers over issues ranging from police conduct to freedom of expression and conflict management.
Kaduna State, due to its history of communal clashes and banditry in areas such as Southern Kaduna and Birnin Gwari, has often been at the center of national security debates.
The coalition’s statement situates its demands within this broader national conversation about governance, rule of law, and the responsibilities of public office holders.
Rejecting Historical Revisionism
A key concern expressed by the coalition is what it describes as attempts to “reframe” the legacy of the former governor as one defined primarily by reform and due process.
While acknowledging that governance records are complex and multifaceted, coalition members argue that any evaluation of the el-Rufai era must also account for unresolved grievances and victims’ testimonies.
In their view, sustainable reconciliation cannot occur without truth.
Signatories and Civil Society Backing
The statement was signed by prominent voices in Nigeria’s civic and legal landscape, including:
Chidi Anselm Odinkalu
Audu Maikori
Gloria Ballason
Steven Kefas
Luka Binniyat
As well as organizations including:
House of Justice
Community Development & Rights Advocacy Foundation
Atrocities Watch Africa
Their collective involvement underscores the seriousness of the coalition’s appeal.
A Call for Rule of Law, Not Retribution
The Kaduna Victims’ Coalition concludes its statement with a pledge to cooperate fully with law enforcement agencies, judicial bodies, and human rights institutions.
They state their readiness to provide testimonies, documentary evidence, and material assistance to facilitate investigations.
Their core argument is straightforward: accountability under the rule of law is not political persecution; it is democratic necessity.
In a nation striving to consolidate democratic institutions, unresolved allegations—especially those involving abduction, disappearance, and communal violence—cannot simply be archived as political history.
For the survivors and families who continue to live with unanswered questions, justice delayed remains justice denied.
And until those questions are addressed transparently and conclusively, the demand will remain:
No more impunity. No more silence.
0 Comments