Police dismiss El-Rufai’s allegation on former commissioner’s detention

The Kaduna State Police Command has refuted claims by former Governor Malam Nasir El Rufai that his former commissioner, Malam Jafaru Sani, was abducted by a police-operated “kidnapping gang.”  

News360 Nigeria reports that these allegations mark another episode in the ongoing dispute between El Rufai and the current Kaduna State administration.

El Rufai asserted that Jafaru Sani was remanded in prison custody by a magistrate without any police First Information Report (FIR) or formal charges from the State Ministry of Justice.

This development adds to the political tension in the state, as both parties continue to trade accusations over governance and law enforcement matters.

However, the command, in a statement by its Public Relations Officer, DSP Mansir Hassan, in Kaduna on Friday, described the allegations as “frivolous” and “malicious.”

The statement read, “The attention of the Kaduna State Police Command has been drawn to a statement credited to former Governor of the State, Malam Nasir El Rufai, on his X handle, wherein he alleged that one of his former Commissioner Malam Jafaru Sani, was abducted by what he referred to as “Uba Sani’s ” kidnapping gang,’’ which he claimed to be the police.

“The former Governor further stated that Jafaru was remanded in prison custody by a magistrate without any police First Information Report or charges by the State Ministry of Justice.

The police command maintained that its actions are guided by the law and due process.

Hassan emphasised that the police have the constitutional right to arrest and investigate individuals suspected of committing an offence.

“To put the records straight, there is no kidnapping gang within the Nigerian Police Force. The Nigerian Police, as an institution, is created by the 1999 Constitution. The statutes mandate the police to maintain law and order.

“In the discharge of this constitutional duty, the police have the legal, legitimate, and constitutional right to arrest and investigate whoever is alleged or suspected to have committed an offence,” he added.

The police command urged the public, especially individuals who have held positions of authority, to exercise caution and desist from making frivolous and malicious allegations against any security agency.

The command further encouraged citizens to seek legal redress if they felt aggrieved, rather than resorting to inflammatory comments that could heat the polity.

“Individuals, corporate organisations, government, etc. have the right to lodge a formal complaint to police, and the police have the mandate to investigate such allegations, and when it’s believed that an offence has been committed, such a matter may be prosecuted or referred to court.

The Command urge the members of the public, especially individuals who have held positions of authority, to exercise caution and desist from frivolous and malicious allegations against any security agency.

“We urge individuals to always verify allegations before making any public statements. Making unverified allegations against security agencies not only misleads the public but also has the potential to undermine law enforcement agencies.

“Citizens are encouraged to seek legal redress if they feel aggrieved, rather than resort to inflammatory comments that will heat up the polity,” the statement added.