A civil society coalition operating under the banner of Kaduna Voices United has announced plans to stage mass protests across Kaduna State, calling for accountability and demanding the continued detention of former governor Nasir El-Rufai.
The coalition said the demonstrations aim to hold the former governor accountable for what it described as years of suppression of dissent, alleged extrajudicial killings, and disregard for judicial authority during his tenure.
In a statement, the group’s coordinator, Nura Basiru, described the initiative as a citizens’ movement committed to seeking justice for victims of abuses under the El-Rufai administration.
“The purpose of these protests is to demand the continued detention of former Governor Nasir El-Rufai and to advocate for the extension of ongoing investigations into his legacy, which is marred by suppression of dissent, extrajudicial killings, and a blatant disregard for judicial authority,” Basiru said.
The coalition stated that protests would occur simultaneously across major locations in Kaduna State, culminating in a central demonstration in the state capital. It emphasised that the protests would be peaceful, calling on civil society organisations, human rights advocates, and residents to participate lawfully.
Highlighting past human rights abuses, Basiru referenced the Zaria Shiite Massacre of December 2015, when government forces clashed with members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), led by Sheikh Ibraheem El-Zakzaky, resulting in hundreds of deaths. He cited the International Human Rights Commission (2016), which condemned the excessive use of force by the Nigerian Army.
Basiru also accused the former administration of deploying the Department of State Services (DSS) to suppress protests through intimidation and violence, noting that organizations like Human Rights Watch (2019) condemned these actions.
The coalition further drew attention to the unresolved disappearance of Kaduna-based activist Abubakar Idris (Dadiyata), abducted in August 2019, describing it as a symbol of ongoing impunity and enforced disappearances targeting activists.
“The impunity surrounding his case reflects the broader culture of oppression that continues to terrorize activists across Nigeria,” Basiru said.
The group described the campaign as part of a broader struggle against human rights violations and authoritarian governance, insisting that confronting past abuses is essential to safeguarding citizens’ rights and promoting justice. The demonstrations, it added, will serve as a platform to demand truth, accountability, and justice while urging authorities to investigate alleged abuses linked to the former administration.
