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JUST IN: ADC Threatens To Petition Amnesty International Over El-Rufai’s Detention
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) says it will petition Amnesty International and other human rights organisations over the continued detention of Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, former governor of Kaduna state.
The party said El-Rufai, one of its leaders, has been held in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) for over 30 days, describing his detention as a violation of fundamental human rights.
In a statement issued by Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, national publicity secretary of the ADC, the party asked the ICPC to release El-Rufai immediately or arraign him before a court of competent jurisdiction.
Part of the statement read: “The African Democratic Congress declares that the continued violation of the fundamental rights of Mallam Nasiru El-Rufai is a stain on the conscience of our democracy and a dangerous descent into lawlessness by the Bola Tinubu-led government.
“Thirty-two days ago, the former Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasiru El-Rufai, honoured an invitation by the EFCC in good faith, an act that should define a law-abiding citizen in a democratic society.
“Two days after his release, he was taken again, this time by the ICPC. Today, more than 30 days later, he remains in custody without arraignment, without formal charges, and under conditions that, by his own account include, restrictions from his family members and doctor; and coercion to abandon his political rights and associations as the price for his freedom.
“Let us be clear, this is not law enforcement. This is the weaponisation of state institutions against political participation. It is illegal. It is unconstitutional. It is an affront to the very idea of Nigeria as a democratic country.
“Freedom is not a privilege that is granted at the pleasure of the executive branch. It is a right that is guaranteed by the Constitution. The right to liberty. The right to fair hearing. The right to political participation. These are not negotiable. They are not conditional.
“And they are not to be negotiated in dark rooms under threat by agencies that report to President Tinubu and his appointees.”
The party mentioned the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, and the leadership of the ICPC among those it expects to ensure adherence to the law.
The ADC said the ICPC was established to investigate corruption and strengthen public trust in governance, adding that the agency should not be used as an instrument for political suppression.
The party said: “Nevertheless, as a law-abiding party, today, the ADC calls on all Nigerians, across party lines, across states, across religions, to rise in defence of the Constitution.
“Today it is El-Rufai. Tomorrow, it could be anyone else that the president sees as a threat to his 2027 agenda.
“The erosion of rights rarely begins with everyone, it begins with one, and spreads where and when silence permits it.
“We demand the immediate release of Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, or his immediate arraignment in a court of competent jurisdiction. Nothing more. Nothing less. That is the law.”
At least nine people have been confirmed dead and 11 others injured following an attack by suspected terrorists on Unguwar Magaji community in Kamaru Ward, Kauru Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
The attack reportedly occurred late on Tuesday, June 16, 2026.
The spokesperson for the Irigwe Youth Movement, Joseph Yonkpa, confirmed the incident, saying the casualty figure rose after search and recovery operations led to the discovery of more bodies.
According to Yonkpa, initial reports did not capture the full scale of the attack, but seven additional bodies were later recovered, bringing the death toll to nine.
Community sources told SaharaReporters that the attackers stormed the area with firearms and left several residents injured
Those killed were identified as Jerry Doctor, Danlami Magani, Sunday Chibi, Rita Abdullahi, Sunday Elkan, Esther Kefas, Happy Friday, Moses Daddy and Daddy Ibrahim.
The 11 injured victims were identified as Halla Monday, Mary Yohanna, Jummai John, Charity Danjuma, Faith Yakubu, Omi Yakubu, Ali Sandiye, Asabe Victor, Srarina Simon, Talatu Sunday and ThankGod Danladi.
Residents said the attack left the community in grief and renewed fears over the recurring violence in Southern Kaduna
Community members lamented what they described as repeated attacks on vulnerable communities in the region and called for stronger security presence.
They also urged the media, civil society organisations and government authorities to pay greater attention to the plight of residents affected by repeated violence.
Personnel of the Nigerian Navy Ship, Delta, have foiled a camouflaged crude oil storage site used to perpetrate crude oil theft activities in the creeks of the Niger Delta.
The feat was performed by the naval personnel during an operation code-named ‘Delta Sentinel’ “following actionable intelligence on suspected crude oil theft activities around the Ugbokodo Creek axis of Delta State”. This was contained in a statement signed by the Director, Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, in Warri on Wednesday. According to the statement, the naval personnel, supported by aerial surveillance, initially carried out a meticulous search of the area.
“Although the location initially appeared free of suspicious activity, further observation and analysis of drone imagery revealed a large freshly dug reservoir deliberately concealed beneath leaves, planks, wood, and thick vegetation to evade detection.
“Subsequent exploitation of the site uncovered approximately 17,000 litres of products suspected to be stolen crude oil stored within the camouflaged reservoir,” the statement explained.
Folorunsho said, “The site also showed clear indications of recent crude oil theft activity and was assessed to have served as a temporary storage point within an illicit supply network.
“The discovery highlights the increasingly sophisticated concealment methods being adopted by criminal elements to sustain crude oil theft operations.
“However, the integration of intelligence-led operations and aerial surveillance capabilities continues to enhance the Nigerian Navy’s ability to detect and disrupt such illegal activities.
“The reservoir, recovered products, and associated materials were handled in accordance with extant operational procedures, effectively denying economic saboteurs access to resources intended to support further criminal activities.”
He added, “The Nigerian Navy remains committed to sustaining pressure on crude oil theft networks under operation Delta Sentinel through persistent surveillance,intelligence-driven operations, and coordinated actions aimed at protecting Nigeria’s critical energy infrastructure and economic interests.”
Crude oil theft has remained a persistent challenge in the Niger Delta, contributing significantly to national revenue losses and environmental degradation.
Criminal networks often use sophisticated concealment methods, including underground reservoirs and illegal pipeline connections, to siphon and store stolen crude.
The minority caucus of the House of Representatives has accused the federal government of neglecting governance, worsening insecurity and allegedly undermining opposition parties ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Speaking at a press conference at the National Assembly on Wednesday, Minority Leader Hon. Fred Agbedi said Nigeria was facing a dangerous combination of insecurity, economic hardship and what he described as attempts to weaken democratic opposition through the judiciary.
The caucus expressed outrage over the killing of retired Major General Rabe Abubakar while in captivity after he was reportedly abducted alongside his wife in Katsina State.
Describing the incident as a national tragedy and evidence of the country’s deteriorating security situation, Agbedi said the murder of the retired military officer underscored the inability of the state to protect its citizens.
“That a general of the Nigerian Army, who once commanded troops and defended this nation, could be kidnapped alongside his wife and later declared dead under unclear circumstances is a grave indictment of a failed state,” he said.
The caucus noted that the killing came after the deaths of other senior military officers in the fight against insurgency, warning that insecurity had spread across several parts of the country.
According to Agbedi, President Bola Tinubu must provide a clear and effective security strategy to confront banditry, terrorism and kidnapping, which he said continue to threaten lives and communities nationwide.
The lawmakers also expressed concern over the continued captivity of schoolchildren and teachers abducted in Oyo State, calling for an urgent military operation to secure their release.
“As we speak, school children and their teachers abducted in Oyo State remain in captivity. Their crime? Going to school in Nigeria,” Agbedi stated.
The caucus demanded what it described as a coordinated rescue effort, insisting that every hour spent in captivity endangered the future of the affected children.
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