El-Rufai drags Kaduna police before PSC over alleged misconduct

Former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has lodged a petition with the Police Service Commission (PSC), accusing officers of the Kaduna State Police Command of unprofessional behavior and breaching provisions of the Police Act.

In his petition, El-Rufai emphasized the need for accountability within the force, urging the PSC to take note of actions that erode public trust.

“I am writing out of concern that the Nigerian Police, warts and all, is the only frontline law enforcement institution that we have.

“The duty of all citizens is not only to support it at every level, but also to ensure that the Commission is provided opportunities to deliver on its regulatory powers to enforce discipline and promote sound and ethical conduct by all police officers at all times.

“This laudable goal can only be attained if the Commission’s attention is continuously drawn to any egregious conduct of some bad eggs that serve interests other than those conferred by law in Section 4 of the Police Act, 2020.

“Such conduct thereby negatively affects the image of the Police and undermines public confidence in its leadership,” he wrote.

The former governor recalled that he had earlier petitioned the Inspector-General of Police over what he described as “egregiously unlawful acts” allegedly carried out by some officers since the assumption of duty by Kaduna Police Commissioner, Rabiu Muhammad, on December 30, 2024.

El-Rufai urged the PSC to embark on an “immediate, impartial, and exhaustive” probe into the matter.

The petition comes on the heels of a police summons requiring him and other leaders of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Kaduna to appear before investigators over allegations of criminal conspiracy, incitement, mischief, public disturbance, and causing grievous harm.

The invitation, signed by Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of criminal investigation, Zubairu Abdullahi, asked El-Rufai and others to report to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID).

“This Department is currently investigating the above-mentioned case involving the following members of your party. You are requested to come along with them to SCID to clarify allegations reported against them by the complainants on 8th September, 2025,” the letter partly read.

However, some ADC members claimed they were unaware of any official summons, saying they only saw reports on social media.

The police invitation followed violent clashes on August 30, when suspected thugs attacked the inauguration of a transition committee formed by a coalition of opposition parties under the ADC in Kaduna. Armed with cutlasses, clubs, and stones, the attackers injured participants and destroyed property, though the event continued amid tension.

The coalition includes members of an APC faction opposed to the state leadership, alongside the PDP, SDP, NNPP, Labour Party, and the ADC.

While the opposition accused the ruling party of orchestrating the violence, the Kaduna Police Command blamed El-Rufai for failing to alert security agencies beforehand.