The Kaduna Victims’ Coalition, representing survivors and families affected by alleged human rights abuses during former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai’s tenure (2015–2023), has called for full accountability and justice.
In a statement released on Monday, the coalition said it speaks on behalf of countless individuals and communities who endured years of fear, loss, and hardship under the former governor. The statement was endorsed by civil society groups and prominent individuals, including Chidi Anselm Odinkalu, Audu Maikori, Gloria Ballason, Steven Kefas, Luka Binniyat, Midat Joseph, Segun Onibiyo, and organisations such as the House of Justice, Resilient Aid and Dialogue Initiative, and Atrocities Watch Africa.
The coalition highlighted several high-profile cases, including the abduction and murder of HRH Dr. Maiwada Raphael Galadima, the Agwam Adara, in October 2018, despite the payment of ransom. It said the killing occurred amid controversial changes to traditional institutions, which deepened ethnic and communal tensions, and that those arrested in connection with the crime have yet to be prosecuted successfully.
Another case cited was the disappearance of Abubakar Idris, known as Dadiyata, a lecturer and social media commentator abducted from his home in Kaduna in August 2019. The coalition noted that Idris has been missing for nearly seven years, with August 2026 marking the statutory presumption of death under Nigerian law.
The statement accused El-Rufai’s administration of presiding over a pattern of arbitrary abductions, persecution of critics, reprisal violence, unlawful demolitions, mass dismissals without due process, and forced exile of perceived opponents. The coalition said these actions bypassed constitutional safeguards and amounted to unchecked impunity under gubernatorial immunity.
Expressing concern over recent attempts to portray El-Rufai as a defender of human rights, the coalition reiterated its demand for accountability under the rule of law. It called for independent investigations, prosecutions where evidence exists, and closure for victims and their families.
“On behalf of ourselves, and in solemn memory of those who cannot speak, we have a moral and civic duty to bear witness,” the statement said. “We will provide testimonies, evidence, and any assistance necessary to ensure those responsible face due process. By pursuing justice, we aim to prevent future suffering and uphold the dignity of all Nigerians.”
