By Abdullahi Alhassan, Kaduna
Hundreds of patriotic youths took to the streets of Kaduna to demand justice and transparency, calling on authorities to hold former Governor Nasir El-Rufai accountable for the long-standing disappearance of Dadiyata. The protesters insisted that silence is no longer an option.
The demonstrators converged at the UTC roundabout in the metropolis and marched to the government house, chanting solidarity songs and carrying placards with inscriptions such as “We demand public scrutiny, audit now,” “Malam Nasir El-Rufai, where is Dadiyata?” and “Sponsoring protests cannot protect El-Rufai; he must still face prosecution.”
Other placards read, “Kaduna lived in fear; we want the truth” and “Publish loan agreement and spending breakdown now.”
Beyond the call for justice, the youths demanded a full investigation into the $350 million in state funds allegedly lost under the previous administration.
Furthermore, the protesters issued a stern warning against “distraction tactics.”
Speaking to newsmen, protest leaders Anas Yusuf and Comrade Joseph Chori emphasized that the Governor’s agenda for a transparent Kaduna cannot be fulfilled until every kobo of the state’s wealth is accounted for.
They called for the immediate arrest of Bashir Saidu, Jafaru, and Hafiz Bayero, accusing them of sponsoring “fake” protests to shield El-Rufai from ongoing government investigations.
The youths maintained that attempts to divert public attention will not stop the push for a cleaner, more accountable Kaduna State, stating, “We are not here for politics; we are here for accountability.”
According to them, “Kaduna bled, communities were attacked, Birnin Gwari faced isolation, banditry escalated, citizens were kidnapped, families buried loved ones, and fear became normal during the last administration.
“Those years cannot be erased with speeches. Former Governor Nasir El-Rufai must answer hard questions. You governed, and now you must account. The disappearance of Dadiyata remains an open wound. A family still waits. Kaduna still asks: what happened?”
They added, “We demand an independent public security audit of that administration. We also demand full disclosure of the $350 million World Bank loan. Publish the agreement. Publish the breakdown. Publish the records. Citizens will repay that debt; they deserve transparency.
“Loans are not free money. Public debt demands public accountability because no one is above the law. If innocent, prove it. If guilty, face prosecution.”
The protesters noted that Kaduna was experiencing relative calm under Governor Uba Sani, stating, “We will not allow destabilisation to shield anyone from scrutiny; this is not revenge, this is justice, and this is democracy.”
“We will not forget the victims. Kaduna deserves better, and Kaduna will demand it,” they concluded.
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