Kaduna Youths Protest Detention Of El-Rufai, Demand Immediate Release

Hundreds of young people across Kaduna State staged coordinated protests on Wednesday, voicing outrage over the continued detention of former governor Nasir El-Rufai and urging authorities to set him free without delay.

The protesters gathered at prominent locations in Kaduna metropolis and in parts of Southern Kaduna, waving placards and chanting songs in support of the embattled ex-governor. Messages displayed during the march included “Free El-Rufai Now,” “Justice for Our Leader,” and “Kaduna Demands Governance, not Revenge.” The crowd comprised youths, women, and other residents.

The demonstrations followed the refusal of bail after El-Rufai’s arrest by the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC).

Speaking during the rally, Ibrahim Modibbo Sanusi of the Arewa Youth Movement criticised the action against the former governor, describing it as unfair and politically influenced.

“We are here to register our displeasure over the continued detention of our leader.”

“We demand his immediate and unconditional release. Justice must not only be done but must be seen to be done.”

Sanusi warned that the agitation could intensify if the situation remains unresolved.

“If this situation persists, Kaduna youths will have no option but to escalate our actions within the ambit of the law.”

He also threatened that the group would organise a one-million-man march in Abuja should the federal authorities fail to release El-Rufai.

According to him, youths in Kafanchan, headquarters of Jema’a Local Government Area, also joined the action in what he described as a peaceful show of solidarity.

In Kaduna city, demonstrators occupied sections of the Western Bye-pass, briefly disrupting vehicular movement, while security personnel monitored the protest to ensure it did not turn violent.