Defence Minister Musa accuses former Kaduna Governor El-Rufai of planning killings

Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, has accused former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai of deliberately planning the killing of people in Southern Kaduna during his tenure. Speaking on Channels Television, Musa alleged that El-Rufai’s administration deepened religious and regional divisions, making it difficult for residents from the south to live in the north and vice versa.

Musa further claimed that El-Rufai was open about his dealings with criminal elements, stating, “He told us he paid bandits. He told us he did this, he did that. He didn’t hide it.” The minister noted that residents of Southern Kaduna remain traumatized by the violence recorded during that period.

In contrast, Musa credited the current governor, Uba Sani, with making efforts to rebuild trust and restore unity within the state. While acknowledging that the process of reconciliation is not yet 100% complete, Musa stated that Sani has worked to dissolve the divisions created by the previous administration.