Kaduna Youths Stage Widespread Protests Over El-Rufai's Continued Detention
Youth groups across Kaduna State organized coordinated demonstrations on Wednesday, demanding the immediate release of former governor Nasir Ahmed El-Rufai following his arrest and continued detention by the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC). The protests emerged after the anti-graft agency denied bail to the former governor, sparking widespread discontent among his supporters.
Metropolis and Southern Kaduna Witness Coordinated Demonstrations
Demonstrators from various communities converged on key locations within Kaduna metropolis, particularly around the Western Bypass economic corridor, where they temporarily slowed traffic while chanting solidarity songs. Simultaneously, youths in Southern Kaduna held peaceful solidarity protests in Kafanchan, the headquarters of Jema'a Local Government Area, showing broad regional support for the former governor.
Protesters displayed placards bearing messages such as "Free El-Rufai Now", "Justice for Our Leader", and "Kaduna Demands Governance, not Revenge". Security personnel were deployed to monitor the situation and ensure the demonstrations did not escalate into violence, maintaining a tense but controlled atmosphere throughout the protests.
Protest Leaders Allege Political Motivation Behind Detention
Addressing supporters during the protest, Ibrahim Modibbo Sanusi, a leader of the Arewa Youth Movement, described El-Rufai's continued detention as unjust and politically driven. He emphasized that the gathering was meant to express dissatisfaction over what he termed prolonged incarceration without proper judicial process.
The group demanded the former governor's unconditional release, insisting that justice must not only be done but must be seen to be done. Sanusi warned that if authorities fail to respond to their demands, the youths may intensify their actions within the confines of the law, revealing plans to mobilize a one-million-man march in Abuja should the situation remain unchanged.
Legal Developments and Bail Denial Background
The protest follows significant legal developments in El-Rufai's case. A Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned the hearing of the suit involving the Department of State Services (DSS) and the former governor. The secret police had filed a three-count charge against El-Rufai alleging that he wiretapped the telephone conversation of the National Security Adviser.
Meanwhile, the ICPC has reportedly denied a bail application from El-Rufai's legal team, with the anti-graft agency failing to respond to the formal request. This continued detainment has raised concerns among the former governor's legal representatives and family members, who view the situation as unnecessarily prolonged.
In a previous interview, El-Rufai claimed that he listened to television conversations and accused the NSA of ordering his arrest, adding another layer of complexity to the ongoing legal and political drama surrounding his detention.
Potential Escalation and Future Actions
Protest leaders have made clear that Wednesday's demonstrations represent only the beginning of their mobilization efforts. Should their demands for El-Rufai's release remain unmet, they plan to escalate their actions through:
- Increased protest activities across Kaduna State
- Expanded mobilization of youth groups from neighboring states
- Organization of a massive rally in the nation's capital, Abuja
- Continued legal advocacy through proper channels
The situation remains fluid as both protesters and authorities navigate the delicate balance between lawful demonstration and maintaining public order, with the former governor's fate hanging in the balance of both judicial proceedings and political pressure.
