The Democracy Watch Initiative (DWI) has called on the Federal Government to launch a formal investigation into alleged human rights violations committed during the tenure of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, between 2015 and 2023.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the group’s Director of Strategic Communication, Dr. Tunji Bamidele, said the probe was necessary to secure justice for victims of violence and repression during that period.
He cited major incidents including the Zaria Shiite massacre, the Kajuru killings, and the demolition of properties belonging to political opponents, describing them as “a troubling legacy where the quest for power was placed above the protection of citizens’ rights.”
“In light of these alarming violations, we call upon the Federal Government to take decisive action by prosecuting those responsible for these atrocities,” Bamidele declared.
He also urged international human rights organisations to support ongoing efforts to ensure accountability.
The group further pointed to episodes where judicial authority was undermined, such as the demolition of Kasuwan Barci traders’ shops, which triggered protests and arrests, including that of journalist Jacob Onjewu, accused of incitement.
The abduction of activist Abubakar Idris, popularly known as Dadiyata, was also highlighted as symbolic of the climate of fear that characterised the administration.
“Governor El-Rufai’s government was marked by an alarming intolerance for dissent and civil liberties. The incarceration of journalists, suppression of protests, and harassment of opposition figures became defining features of a regime intent on silencing free expression,” Bamidele added.
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