Defence Minister Musa accuses El-Rufai of deliberately planning Southern Kaduna killings

The Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, has accused former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai of deliberately planning the killing of people in Southern Kaduna, making one of the strongest allegations yet against the former governor over the violence and communal tensions that affected parts of the state during his eight-year administration.

Musa made the allegation on Thursday, September 3, 2026, while appearing on Channels Television’s Politics Today, where he criticised the former governor’s handling of security and governance in Kaduna State.

The Defence Minister described the situation in Kaduna during El-Rufai’s tenure as “toxic”, alleging that the former administration deepened divisions between communities in the northern and southern parts of the state.

Musa claimed the divisions became so severe that residents from Southern Kaduna could not freely live in northern parts of the state, while some residents from northern Kaduna moved towards the southern part of the state.

“We know how it was when El-Rufai was there; it was toxic,” Musa said.

“El-Rufai did a lot of terrible things in Kaduna State. He divided the state into two. If you are from the south, you cannot go to the north to live. Those ones from the north were moving to the south.”

The minister’s comments come against the background of years of deadly violence in Southern Kaduna, where communities have experienced killings, kidnappings, displacement and destruction of property.

Musa said the impact of the violence remains deeply felt among residents of the region, particularly families who lost loved ones during the period.

Responding to questions about whether people in Southern Kaduna remained unhappy with El-Rufai, Musa said the anger went beyond ordinary political disagreement.

“I think if there’s anything worse than unhappy, we can never be happy with somebody who has deliberately planned for the killing of our people,” he said.

READ ALSO:

• Kano Rainstorms: Nine Lives Lost, Over 4,500 Displaced
• Atiku, X user clash over Almajiri crisis, street begging
• Court restrains Lizzy Anjorin from posting Priscilla Ojo’s son’s photos

The Defence Minister did not, during the interview as reported, provide specific evidence to substantiate his allegation that El-Rufai deliberately planned the killings. The claim therefore remains an allegation made by Musa and has not been established as a fact by a court or independent investigation cited in the reports reviewed. (Nigeria Info, Let’s Talk!)

Musa also alleged that El-Rufai had previously spoken publicly about payments allegedly made to bandits and other measures adopted by his administration to address insecurity.

“He told us he paid bandits. He told us he did this, he did that. He didn’t hide it,” Musa alleged.

The minister said the former governor had discussed such actions in public speeches and videos and suggested that affected communities remained angry over the approach taken by the administration.

Musa further argued that the scale of killings recorded in Southern Kaduna during the previous administration was significantly higher than what is being witnessed in the area under the current government.

“The Southern Kaduna people are still very pained. Of course, definitely. I mean, if you look at the number of killings that was done there and what is going on now, you can’t compare at all,” he said.

The minister also credited incumbent Governor Uba Sani with making efforts to rebuild relationships between communities and reduce the divisions he said existed during El-Rufai’s tenure.

According to Musa, the situation has not been completely resolved, but residents now have greater freedom to move and participate in the affairs of the state.

“Governor Sani within one year has been able to dissolve all that. You see now, everybody is free, everybody has a say. It’s not 100 per cent, let me tell you, it’s not 100 per cent, but you can see that he’s making deliberate effort in uniting the state,” Musa said. (Vanguard News)

Musa also extended his criticism beyond the Southern Kaduna crisis, accusing El-Rufai of policies and actions that he said affected people across different parts of the state.

He alleged that some residents, including people from El-Rufai’s own area, were denied opportunities during the former governor’s administration.

The minister also referred to demolitions carried out during the former governor’s tenure, alleging that some residents lost properties following disagreements with El-Rufai.

“I can tell you people what he has done to people living in Kaduna State from his own area. He had just personal [issues] with friends. The next thing, he sends a bulldozer to bulldoze your house down. He’s done it,” Musa alleged.

He maintained that his criticism was not driven by ethnic considerations, despite his own Kaduna background, but by what he described as a concern for the country and the consequences of divisive politics.

Musa urged Nigerians to reject politicians who exploit religion, ethnicity or regional differences to gain political advantage.

“We should get politicians that want to unite Nigeria,” he said.

“Anybody who is using religion or tribe or whatever to divide Nigeria is an enemy of the state.”

The minister’s comments have revived broader questions about the security crisis in Kaduna State during El-Rufai’s tenure, which lasted from 2015 to 2023.

During those years, Southern Kaduna witnessed repeated attacks involving armed groups and communal violence. Human rights organisations have documented significant loss of life and displacement in the region, while successive governments have faced criticism over their handling of insecurity.

The controversy surrounding El-Rufai’s security policies has also included his administration’s controversial approach to negotiations with bandits and other armed groups.

El-Rufai has previously defended his administration’s handling of insecurity and has frequently argued that his government took steps to protect residents while calling for stronger federal security intervention.

The former governor has also remained politically active after leaving office, while his relationship with his successor, Governor Uba Sani, has deteriorated considerably.

Sani was previously regarded as a political ally of El-Rufai and succeeded him as governor in 2023. Their relationship has since become strained, with both camps engaging in disagreements over governance, the finances of Kaduna State and the legacy of the former administration.

Musa’s latest comments add another dimension to the political dispute because they come from a serving federal minister responsible for Nigeria’s defence apparatus and a former senior military officer.

The allegations are also likely to attract further political reactions, particularly as political activities ahead of the 2027 elections intensify.

For now, however, Musa’s claim that El-Rufai deliberately planned killings in Southern Kaduna remains an allegation. While the violence and deaths suffered by communities in the region are extensively documented, the specific accusation of deliberate planning by the former governor would require further evidence or an authoritative investigation to establish it as fact.

El-Rufai and his media team had not publicly responded to Musa’s latest allegations in the reports reviewed as of Friday morning.

Defence Minister Musa accuses El-Rufai of deliberately planning Southern Kaduna killings

Kano Rainstorms: Nine Lives Lost, Over 4,500 Displaced 

Kano, Nigeria – Between January and August 2026, severe rainstorms and windstorms ravaged eight local government areas in Kano State, claiming nine lives and displacing 4,524 residents, the Kano State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) has confirmed.

The agency’s Executive Secretary, Isyaku Kubarachi, disclosed the figures in an interview, noting that 49 other individuals sustained injuries of varying degrees during the eight-month period. The storms represent the most destructive among the six major disasters recorded across the state within this timeframe, according to Kubarachi, who emphasized the severity of this year’s rainy season compared to previous years.

The affected local government areas are Gaya, Ajingi, Rimin Gado, Minjibir, Kabo, Bichi, Shanono, and Kibiya. Bichi recorded the highest number of victims with 775 affected persons, followed closely by Minjibir with 712 and Kibiya with 630. Shanono recorded 530 victims, while Ajingi had 415. Gaya recorded 342 affected persons, Rimin Gado had 233, and Kabo recorded 102 victims, making it the least affected among the eight LGAs.

READ ALSO:

• Atiku, X user clash over Almajiri crisis, street begging
• Court restrains Lizzy Anjorin from posting Priscilla Ojo’s son’s photos
• NBA controversy: VDM apologises to security agencies over ‘unknown gunmen’ remarks

The latest figures follow a particularly devastating rainstorm in Bichi on July 22, 2026, which initially generated conflicting reports about the death toll. SEMA later clarified that five people died in that specific incident, correcting earlier media reports that had placed the number at eight. The storm destroyed numerous houses and property valued at millions of naira, leaving many families without shelter and basic necessities in the Bichi area.

In the wake of the Bichi disaster, the Kano State House of Assembly adopted a motion of urgent public importance. Sponsored by Lawan Shehu, the member representing Bichi Constituency, the motion called on the state government to provide immediate relief materials and humanitarian assistance to the victims. The motion was passed during a plenary session presided over by Speaker Jibril Falgore, with lawmakers expressing concern over the recurring nature of such disasters and the need for proactive measures.

SEMA has completed comprehensive on-the-ground assessments of all affected communities and submitted detailed reports to the Kano State Government to facilitate intervention. Kubarachi assured that the agency is ready to begin distribution as soon as relief materials are received, stating, “The agency had compiled comprehensive reports and submitted them to the state government for assistance to victims. As soon as we receive relief materials, they will be distributed to them.” He also urged residents in flood-prone areas to heed weather warnings and take necessary precautions as the rainy season continues.

Kano Rainstorms: Nine Lives Lost, Over 4,500 Displaced

Sambisa Forest: Over 23 terrorists reportedly killed as Boko Haram, ISWAP clash in Borno

More than 23 terrorists have reportedly been killed in renewed fighting between rival Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) factions in the Sambisa Forest area of Borno State.

The latest confrontation reportedly occurred around the Chingolo axis of Bama Local Government Area, where Boko Haram fighters attacked ISWAP members who were advancing into the area.

Counter-terrorism expert Zagazola Makama disclosed the development in a post on X, saying the confrontation was part of a renewed wave of hostilities between the two rival terrorist organisations.

According to Makama, the latest fighting began about two days ago and involved sustained exchanges of gunfire as the factions battled to consolidate their positions and prevent each other from expanding their influence within the forest.

Preliminary intelligence indicated that more than 23 terrorists had been killed on both sides since the latest round of fighting began.

However, the exact casualty figures for Boko Haram and ISWAP could not be independently verified.

Makama said the confrontation reportedly started after ISWAP fighters moved into the Chingolo area, prompting Boko Haram fighters operating in the vicinity to launch an attack against the advancing group.

The latest clashes highlight the continuing rivalry between the two insurgent factions over territory, access routes, resources and control of fighters operating in the Sambisa Forest and surrounding areas.

The rivalry between Boko Haram and ISWAP dates back several years and has periodically resulted in deadly clashes between fighters belonging to the two groups.

ISWAP emerged from a split within Boko Haram after some commanders and fighters pledged allegiance to the Islamic State. Since then, the two factions have competed for influence, territory and access to resources across parts of Borno State and the wider Lake Chad Basin.

READ ALSO:

• NAF recruitment 2026: Step-by-step guide to applying for BMTC 47/2026
• Oyo kidnap rescue: Five security personnel, four civilians killed — DSS DG
• Amaechi: Atiku will restore electricity subsidy if elected in 2027

The Sambisa Forest remains strategically important because of its difficult terrain and its history as a base for insurgent activity. The expansive forest has been the target of repeated military operations aimed at dismantling terrorist camps, disrupting logistics networks and restricting the movement of insurgents.

The latest internal fighting could further weaken both factions by inflicting casualties and disrupting their command structures, logistics and freedom of movement.

It could also provide security forces with an opportunity to gather intelligence on the locations and movements of fighters weakened by the confrontation.

The development comes amid continued Nigerian military operations against Boko Haram and ISWAP in the North-East.

Troops operating under Operation Hadin Kai have continued to conduct ground and air operations against terrorist positions in Borno and neighbouring areas, targeting fighters, camps, weapons and logistics networks.

Despite sustained military pressure, however, both Boko Haram and ISWAP have retained the ability to operate in remote areas and launch attacks, particularly around the Lake Chad Basin and parts of Borno State.

Recent security assessments have also pointed to continued militant activity across the Lake Chad Basin, with northeastern Nigeria remaining one of the major theatres of insurgent violence in the region.

The renewed Boko Haram-ISWAP confrontation therefore presents a complex security situation. While fighting between the rival factions could reduce their strength, prolonged instability could also create opportunities for surviving fighters to regroup, recruit new members or seek control of additional territory.

Security agencies are reportedly monitoring developments around the Sambisa Forest and Bama axis, while intelligence gathered from the clashes could assist ongoing counter-terrorism operations.

Communities in and around areas bordering the Sambisa Forest are also expected to remain vigilant and report suspicious movements or activities to the relevant security authorities.

The casualty figure remains subject to further verification as security agencies continue to assess the extent of the fighting and its impact on the two rival insurgent factions.

Sambisa Forest: Over 23 terrorists reportedly killed as Boko Haram, ISWAP clash in Borno