Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa (retd.), has accused former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai of deliberately planning the killing of people in Southern Kaduna during his time in office.
Musa made the allegation on Thursday while speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today, where he also criticised the former governor’s administration for allegedly deepening divisions across Kaduna State.
The minister described the situation in Kaduna under El-Rufai as “toxic”, alleging that the former governor’s policies created a sharp divide between communities in the northern and southern parts of the state.
According to Musa, the divisions became so severe that residents from Southern Kaduna allegedly found it difficult to live in the northern part of the state, while some residents from the north moved south.
Musa said the people of Southern Kaduna remained deeply traumatised by the killings recorded in the region during El-Rufai’s tenure.
Asked whether residents of Southern Kaduna were still unhappy with the former governor, the minister said their grievances went beyond unhappiness.
He alleged that El-Rufai had deliberately planned the killing of people in the region.
Musa also referred to past statements attributed to the former governor concerning his administration’s dealings with bandits, alleging that El-Rufai had openly acknowledged paying bandits.
The Defence Minister, however, did not provide specific evidence during the interview to substantiate his allegation that El-Rufai deliberately planned the killings. El-Rufai has previously denied accusations linking him to the violence in Southern Kaduna.
Musa further praised incumbent Kaduna Governor Uba Sani for what he described as efforts to rebuild trust and restore unity among communities across the state.
He acknowledged that the reconciliation process was not yet complete but said the situation had improved under Sani’s administration.
The minister also urged Nigerians to reject politicians who exploit religious, ethnic or regional differences for political gain, arguing that the country needs leaders who will promote unity rather than deepen divisions.
