MBF Backs Defence Minister, Demands Investigation of El-Rufai

The Middle Belt Forum has expressed support for the Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa (retd.), over his recent allegations against former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai.

The National Spokesman of the forum, Luka Binniyat, made the position known on Tuesday at a press conference in Kaduna, where he said Musa should not apologise to El-Rufai over his comments.

The controversy followed remarks made by Musa during a September 3 appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today, where he accused El-Rufai of deliberately planning killings in Southern Kaduna and alleged that the former governor had admitted to paying bandits.

El-Rufai, through his lawyers, rejected the allegations and demanded a public apology and N10 billion in compensation from the Defence Minister.

Binniyat, however, said the MBF stood by Musa, arguing that his comments reflected the experiences of communities affected by violence during El-Rufai’s administration.

He said the forum was speaking as witnesses to events in Kaduna, particularly in Southern Kaduna, which it considers part of the Middle Belt.

The MBF spokesman rejected claims that the violence experienced in Kaduna was merely inherited from previous administrations, alleging that attacks on rural communities became more widespread during El-Rufai’s tenure.

He cited several incidents, including the 2019 Kajuru crisis, arrests of community leaders and traditional rulers, and alleged mass displacement resulting from attacks.

The forum called for an independent investigation into the allegations against El-Rufai and said that, where evidence establishes criminal responsibility, he should face prosecution for alleged crimes against humanity.

Binniyat also called for a review of unresolved cases of mass killings in Southern Kaduna, including the circumstances surrounding the 2018 kidnapping and murder of the Agwom Adara, Dr Raphael Maiwada Galadima.

The MBF further urged authorities to examine the handling of the 2015 Shiite crisis, curfews imposed in parts of Southern Kaduna and other security-related incidents during the former governor’s administration.