Middle Belt Forum Backs Defence Minister, Demands El-Rufai Probe

The Middle Belt Forum, MBF, has backed Defence Minister Christopher Musa over his recent comments on the administration of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, insisting that the minister should not apologise for his remarks. The forum instead called for an independent investigation into allegations of killings and payments to…... The Middle Belt Forum, MBF, has backed Defence Minister Christopher Musa over his recent comments on the administration of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, insisting that the minister should not apologise for his remarks. The forum instead called for an independent investigation into allegations of killings and payments to bandits during El-Rufai's tenure, saying the former governor should face prosecution if found culpable. According to Punch, the National Spokesman of the MBF, Luka Binniyat, made the demand on Tuesday at a press conference in Kaduna while expressing solidarity with Musa. The controversy followed comments by the defence minister during an appearance on Channels Television's Politics Today on September 3, 2026. Musa had said, 'We can never be happy with somebody who has deliberately planned for the killing of our people.' He also alleged that El-Rufai had admitted to paying bandits, saying videos and public statements were available to support the claim. El-Rufai's family subsequently rejected the allegations and demanded a public apology and N10 billion in compensation from the minister. However, Binniyat said Musa had no reason to apologise, arguing that his comments reflected the experiences of communities affected by violence in Kaduna during El-Rufai's administration. 'The Middle Belt Forum is not a mouthpiece for Gen. Musa. We are speaking as witnesses to what happened in Kaduna State during that period, since Southern Kaduna is part of the Middle Belt,' he said. The forum rejected the argument that the violence witnessed in Kaduna during El-Rufai's tenure was simply a continuation of crises inherited from previous administrations. Binniyat acknowledged that Kaduna had experienced communal and religious conflicts before 2015 but alleged that attacks on rural communities became more widespread during El-Rufai's tenure. He alleged that the attacks resulted in killings, destruction of communities and mass displacement, while accusing the former administration of arresting community leaders and traditional rulers from affected areas instead of apprehending those responsible for the attacks. The MBF spokesman cited the 2016 arrest of the District Head of Goska, Moses Barde, following an attack on the community in Jema'a Local Government Area. He also referenced the arrest and subsequent dethronement of the B'Gwam Kurama, Dr Ishaku Sabo Damina, as well as the 2021 arrest of 15 Atyap leaders over allegations that they killed 706 cows. Binniyat further revisited the 2019 Kajuru crisis, accusing the former governor of making inflammatory statements about the number of people killed during the violence. According to him, El-Rufai initially announced that 66 Fulani people had been killed in Kajuru before the figure was later increased to 130 and then 133. The MBF spokesman said several Adara leaders were subsequently arrested, including the then President of the Adara Development Association, Awemi Dio Maisamari. He said Maisamari and eight other Adara leaders later secured N900 million in damages after the Federal High Court in Kaduna ruled that their detention was unlawful. Binniyat said the forum believed the allegations against El-Rufai warranted a formal investigation rather than a political dispute between individuals. 'It is the opinion of the MBF that El-Rufai should be charged with crimes against humanity and be handed over to the International Criminal Court for proper prosecution,' he said. The forum said the call for an investigation had become more important following retired General Martin Agwai's reported denial of claims that his committee recommended that El-Rufai pay those responsible for killing people in Southern Kaduna. Binniyat also called for a review of unresolved cases involving mass killings in Southern Kaduna, including the circumstances surrounding the October 2018 kidnapping and murder of the Agwom Adara, Dr Raphael Maiwada Galadima. The MBF further accused the former administration of mishandling the 2015 Shiite crisis, imposing prolonged curfews in parts of Southern Kaduna and failing to adequately protect communities from attacks. The forum also criticised the mass dismissal of workers and the demolition of homes and businesses during El-Rufai's administration.