The Middle Belt Forum has called for an independent investigation into claims of payments to bandits and other armed groups during the administration of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir el-Rufai.
The forum made the demand in Kaduna on Tuesday, following a public denial by retired General Martin Agwai that his committee recommended that el-Rufai pay those responsible for killings in Southern Kaduna.
National Spokesman of the MBF, Luka Binniyat, made the call while briefing journalists in Kaduna.
Binniyat said unresolved cases of mass killings during the former governor’s tenure should also be reviewed.
“We want a review of unresolved cases of mass killings in Southern Kaduna during the period of el-Rufai’s tenure,” he said.
He specifically mentioned the circumstances surrounding the kidnapping and killing of the Agwom Adara, Dr Raphael Maiwada Galadima, in October 2018.
The forum also demanded an investigation into deaths and injuries reportedly associated with demolition exercises carried out during the administration.
The MBF said residents of Kaduna deserved to know what happened, arguing that the appropriate response to contentious claims was investigation rather than political confrontation.
“The appropriate response is to investigate the issues and establish the truth,” the forum said.
On the mass dismissal of workers, Binniyat said the former administration’s policies had affected thousands of workers across the state.
He said about 22,000 primary school teachers were dismissed after a competency test, while the Nigeria Labour Congress had previously put the number of workers sacked at about 35,000.
The MBF argued that the alleged failure to pay the full entitlements of some affected workers worsened hardship among former workers and their families.
The forum also criticised demolition exercises carried out under the former administration, saying homes, businesses, markets and other structures were affected.
It cited reported incidents in Gbagyi Villa, including the death of a 62-year-old woman, Mary Audu, following a demolition notice in 2016.
The MBF further referred to protests during another demolition exercise in Gbagyi Villa in May 2023, alleging that several residents were killed or injured.
However, the forum’s accounts and figures concerning the incidents were presented as claims requiring proper investigation.
Binniyat said development should not be assessed solely by infrastructure projects.
“Development cannot be measured only by buildings demolished and roads constructed. It must also be measured by the lives protected and the people whose dignity is preserved,” he said.
The MBF also raised concerns over the use of curfews during periods of violence in Southern Kaduna.
Binniyat cited attacks in Jema’a and Zangon Kataf Local Government Areas, saying some communities remained under prolonged curfews while violence continued.
He referred to reported attacks in Goska, Samaru Kataf and several Atyap communities, with varying casualty figures recorded by different sources.
The spokesman alleged that the violence resulted in deaths, destruction of homes and displacement of residents.
He also criticised the former administration’s response to the humanitarian situation, questioning its handling of displaced communities.
Binniyat asked whether the former governor should be held responsible for the killings and destruction that occurred during his tenure.
“Isn’t it then true that these killings and destructions should be squarely placed on the shoulders of Nasir el-Rufai?” he asked.
The MBF, however, maintained that the disputed issues should be subjected to credible investigations to establish the facts and determine responsibility.
It called on relevant authorities to examine the allegations and unresolved cases without political interference.