Former Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, has raised an alarm over the alleged abduction and detention of a former commissioner of Local Government, Malam Jafaru Sani, following his defection from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
El-Rufai, on his Tiktock handle, claimed that Sani was forcefully taken off the streets of Kaduna and arraigned before a magistrate’s court without any formal charge.
He further alleged that the former commissioner was immediately remanded in the Kaduna prison on accusations of spreading false information.
“Yesterday, our colleague, Malam Jafaru Sani, a former commissioner, was abducted on the streets of Kaduna, arraigned before a magistrate without any charge of false information report, and immediately remanded in Kaduna Correctional Facility,” El-Rufai stated.
According to the former governor, Sani’s only offence was his decision to defect from the ruling APC to the opposition SDP.
He condemned what he described as political intolerance and the misuse of security agencies to suppress opposition voices in the state.
“The intolerance of democratic opposition is unacceptable. The Kaduna State Government cannot be allowed to continue to misuse the security agencies for this purpose. Let us all stand up and fight for our democracy,” El-Rufai declared.
Swiftly reacted, the Kaduna State Police Command denied the allegations made by El Rufai that Sani was abducted by a “kidnapping gang” allegedly operated by the police.
In a statement by the command Public Relations Officer, DSP Mansir Hassan, the police described the allegations as “frivolous” and “malicious.”
The statement read, “The attention of the Kaduna State Police Command has been drawn to a statement credited to former Governor of the State, Malam Nasir El Rufai, on his X handle, wherein he alleged that one of his former Commissioner Malam Jafaru Sani, was abducted by what he referred to as “Uba Sani’s ” kidnapping gang,’’ which he claimed to be the police.
“The former Governor further stated that Jafaru was remanded in prison custody by a magistrate without any police First Information Report or charges by the State Ministry of Justice”, maintaining that its actions are guided by the law and due process.
The statement added, “To put the records straight, there is no kidnapping gang within the Nigerian Police Force. The Nigerian Police, as an institution, is created by the 1999 Constitution. The statutes mandate the police to maintain law and order.
“In the discharge of this constitutional duty, the police have the legal, legitimate, and constitutional right to arrest and investigate whoever is alleged or suspected to have committed an offence.”
The police command urged the public, especially individuals who have held positions of authority, to exercise caution and desist from making frivolous and malicious allegations against any security agency.
The command further encouraged citizens to seek legal redress if they felt aggrieved, rather than resorting to inflammatory comments that could heat the polity.
“Individuals, corporate organisations, government, etc. have the right to lodge a formal complaint to police, and the police have the mandate to investigate such allegations, and when it’s believed that an offence has been committed, such a matter may be prosecuted or referred to court.
The Command urge the members of the public, especially individuals who have held positions of authority, to exercise caution and desist from frivolous and malicious allegations against any security agency.
“We urge individuals to always verify allegations before making any public statements. Making unverified allegations against security agencies not only misleads the public but also has the potential to undermine law enforcement agencies.
“Citizens are encouraged to seek legal redress if they feel aggrieved, rather than resort to inflammatory comments that will heat up the polity,” the statement added.
