Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir el-Rufai has accused his successor of kidnapping one of his former commissioners, Jafaru Ibrahim Sani.
Sani, who served as Commissioners of Environment and Natural Resources, Education, Science and Technology, and Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs under the administration of el-Rufai, was picked up by policemen acting on the orders of the state government, according to the former governor.
In a letter dated March 10, 2025, Sani announced his defection from the APC, citing his disappointment with the party’s leadership, which he accused of straying from the party’s founding ideals.
“I am disappointed with the direction of the APC in Kaduna State. The party has lost its way, and I can no longer continue to be a part of it.”
Sani’s arrest has raised eyebrows, especially given his recent defection from the APC.
The Kaduna police command’s spokesperson, DSP Abubakar Aliyu, could not be reached for comment on Sani’s arrest.
El-Rufai, who made the accusation on X/Twitter said the former Commissioner was abducted by gunmen claiming to be police officers.
While condemning the action, El-Rufai described the arrest as a “kidnapping” by a “gang” sponsored by the state government.
El-Rufai further accused the state government of orchestrating the abduction, saying that Jafaru’s “real crime” was his resignation from the All Progressives Congress (APC) and joining the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
The former governor expressed concern about the role of some magistrates and high court judges in the Kaduna State judiciary, saying that they were “henpecked and compromised.”
The former governor further said, “Our colleague and versatile former commissioner during the El-Rufai Administration – Mallam Jafaru Sani has been abducted in Kaduna by Uba Sani’s kidnapping gang claiming to be the police, this afternoon!
“Jafaru was remanded in prison custody by a magistrate without any police first information report or charges by the State Ministry of Justice.
“On inquiry, we have learned that Jafaru is being charged with money laundering – a federal offense that neither the State Judiciary or even the Police have jurisdiction to adjudicate or investigate.
“Jafaru’s real crime is his resignation from the APC, and joining the SDP – and having been proposed by him as the replacement ministerial nominee representing Kaduna State in August 2023.”
It added, “The tactics are similar to those used against another colleague of ours – Bashir Saidu when he was abducted on the 31st of December, 2024, and kept in captivity for 50 days before he was released on bail!
“The ignominious role of some henpecked and compromised magistrates and high court judges in the Kaduna State judiciary remains a source of great concern to us.
“We are watching and waiting as no condition is permanent, and there will be accountability for all decisions and actions, one day, soon.”
Sani’s arrest followed a similar incident in December, when Bashir Saidu, El-Rufai’s former chief of staff, was detained, taken to court, and remanded in prison for 50 days before being released on bail as investigation continued.
The governor’s office could not be reached for comment.
