A coalition of civil society groups operating under the banner Kaduna Voices United has announced plans to stage coordinated protests across Kaduna State, calling for accountability and demanding the continued detention of former governor Nasir El-Rufai.
The group said the demonstrations are intended to press for what it described as justice over alleged human rights violations committed during El-Rufai’s tenure from 2015 to 2023.
In a statement issued on Monday, the coalition’s coordinator, Nura Basiru, said the initiative represents a citizens’ movement seeking redress for victims of what it called years of repression.
“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.
According to the coalition, demonstrations will take place simultaneously in major towns across Kaduna State, culminating in a central rally in Kaduna metropolis.
The organisers stressed that the protests would be peaceful and urged participants to act within the law. They also called on civil society organisations, human rights advocates and residents to join what they described as a lawful demand for justice.
Basiru cited the December 2015 clash between the Nigerian Army and members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) in Zaria, an incident that drew widespread international attention.
The confrontation, which followed a dispute over a road blockade, resulted in the deaths of hundreds of IMN members, according to rights groups. The movement is led by Ibraheem El-Zakzaky.
Basiru also alleged that security agencies were deployed during the former administration to intimidate critics and suppress dissent. He referenced reports by human rights organisations documenting restrictions on protests and arrests of activists during the period.
The coalition further pointed to the unresolved disappearance of Kaduna-based activist Abubakar Idris, popularly known as Dadiyata, who was abducted in August 2019 by unidentified persons. His whereabouts remain unknown despite repeated calls for investigation by civil society groups and international observers.
“The impunity surrounding his case reflects the broader culture of oppression that continues to terrorize activists across Nigeria,” Basiru said.
Kaduna Voices United described the planned demonstrations as part of a broader effort to confront what it termed authoritarian tendencies and human rights abuses.
The coalition insisted that addressing past grievances is essential to strengthening democratic governance and safeguarding citizens’ rights.
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