28 May, 2023.
Dear CDS & IGP,
*DEMOLITION OF PROPERTIES BY GOVERNOR NASIR EL:RUFAI: AN OPEN LETTER TO THE CHIEF OF DEFENCE STAFF, GENERAL LUCKY IRABOR & INSPECTOR GENERAL OF POLICE, IGP USMAN ALKALI BABA.*
Sometime in April, a letter dated 20 April, 2023, conveyed the approval of Governor Nasir Ahmad Elrufai to the DG of the Kaduna State Urban & Regional Development Authority (KASUPDA) to demolish about 907 structures in Kaduna State and to procure 2,510 (two thousand five hundred and ten) security agents comprising of soldiers and policemen for the demolition exercises. See: https://editor.guardian.ng/news/el-rufai-approves-demolition-of-imn-gbagyi-properties-others/,
With about a month to the end of Governor Nasir Ahmad Elrufai’s tenure, it seemed unlikely that any politician in a democracy would leave gruesome parting gifts to his constituents, alas the imagination was wrong.
On May 21, 2023, the Elrufai-led Kaduna State Government through KASUPDA demolished properties worth billions of naira belonging to Shiites in Rigasa, Tudun Wada and environs. He had in the course of his 8-year rulership demolished properties of citizens or opponents worth several billions of naira -including but not limited to the over 160 houses demolished in Graceland, Zaria, Sen. Othman Hunkuyi’s property, and Hon. Inuwa Abdulkadir’s residence. Abdulkadir was, until his death after the incident, a former state Attorney General and an APC national leader.
https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2021/11/17/zaria-demolition-victims-demand-justice-compensation/
https://punchng.com/demolition-el-rufai-pushing-us-to-wall-says-shiites/
https://dailynigerian.com/minute-demolition-spree-rufai/
On May 22, 2023, Alheri Baptist Church, a magnificent edifice in Gbagyi villa, became the first property to be demolished. A woman died of shock:
https://www.vanguardngr.com/2023/05/woman-feared-dead-many-injured-as-bulldozers-demolish-kaduna-community-2/
The residents of Gbagyi villa, went out to protest the unlawful demolition.
There are substantive court orders and judgment of the High Court delivered by Hon. Justice Hannatu A.L. Balogun barring the Governor, KASUPDA and relevant persons or agencies from demolishing Gbagyi villa. There are victims :
https://africaprimenews.com/2016/03/19/rights/court-stops-el-rufai-from-wiping-out-gbagyi-villa/
https://sunnewsonline.com/kaduna-property-owners-commend-el-rufai-over-court-judgement/
https://daybreak.ng/8-killed-as-el-rufai-resumes-demolition-in-gbagyi-villa-despite-court-judgment/.
https://www.thenicheng.com/el-rufai-demolishes-kaduna-community-72-hours-to-end-of-tenure/.
About 8 residents have been killed in the course of the Gbagyi villa demolition and many others sustained bullet injuries including Luka Enoch who has 11 bullets in his body and a 12-year old child fighting to stay alive.
On the whole, the victims are now homeless in this rainny season, confused, traumatized and eat tears as food.
*KADUNA: A STATE IN NEED OF PROTECTION FROM KIDNAPPERS & BANDITS AND NOT SECURITY AGENTS.*
Kaduna state is one of three states that has consistently recorded the highest number of deaths from 2021 until date:
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.dataphyte.com/latest-reports/insecurity-nigeria-records-1718-deaths-in-3-months-report/
https://www.dataphyte.com/latest-reports/how-many-nigerians-need-to-die-under-buhari/.
Many of the residents in Gbagyi villa had to vacate their homes due to the incessant kidnapping and insecurity.
The residents constantly called on security agents for protection but never had the kind of security response commensurate to the security agents mobilized by Governor Nasir Ahmad Elrufai to demolish their houses:
Terrorists Release Pregnant Woman, Children, Continue To Hold Others In Kaduna
https://saharareporters.com/2022/01/11/bandits-invade-kaduna-community-abduct-many
https://fb.watch/kPd7qozvwS/?mibextid=Nif5oz
The esteemed office of the CDS is saddled with the duty of giving operational directives to the Nigerian Armed forces for the highest attainment of national security while the Nigerian Police Force under the command of the IGP has the primary duty of internal security through the preservation of law and order and the protection of life and property, would you respectfully, consider evaluating these constitutional duties as regards Kaduna State and other states of the Federation who require urgent response?
*THE NIGERIAN ARMED FORCES & THE NIGERIAN POLICE FORCE BELONG TO NIGERIANS AND NOT POLITICIANS OR THE MIGHTY.*
In the light of the foregoing, the following pertinent questions are asked:
1. Are the esteemed offices of the CDS and IGP aware that soldiers and policemen were drafted to supervise the illegal killings and destruction of properties of innocent citizens in Kaduna state?
2. Are you sirs, aware that only a court order can validate the killing of any person or the destruction of their properties?
3. Could the Army and Police have been used to violate valid court judgment and orders against very serious and egregious violation of fundamental rights of citizens by Governor Nasir Ahmad Elrufai?
4. Have the Nigerian Army and the Nigerian Police been used by Governor Nasir Ahmad Elrufai who is a serial violator of law and order, to turn the nozzle against the very people who not only own the Nigerian Armed Forces and the Nigerian Police Force but also finance it as taxpayers?
5. Is it just and fair that the people who should be guaranteed the rule of law are now being exposed to the shenanigans of the ruse of force by the mighty?
Governor Nasir Ahmad Elrufai has vowed to continue to carry out what he has determined to do until the last minute of his tenure. He is purportedly carrying out the demolitions because the people ‘failed to obey his orders to pay for regularization fees’ yet Mr. El-rufai is a perpetual violator of court judgments and orders.
(Please find records of some of Mr. Elrufai’s violation of rights, law and order) :
https://africaprimenews.com/2023/02/17/open-letter/currency-redesign-open-letter-to-governor-nasir-el-rufai-of-kaduna-state-by-gloria-mabeiam-ballason-esq/)
KASUPDA has reportedly, earmarked 9 (nine) properties of former Governor Ahmad Makarfi for demolition and by a statement signed on Sunday 28 May, 2023 by his publicist, Muyiwa Adekeye, ‘proscribed’ by an order, the Atyap Community Development Association – only few hours before the end of his tenure. Atyap Community like many communities in Southern Kaduna, have, in recent times, consistently been attacked by killers and kidnappers with the state government failing to stem the killings or bring the killers to justice.
For the records, the people and communities are those in need of army and police protection against Elrufai who is abusing power and violating fundamental rights.
Will your good offices, dear CDS and IGP, kindly consider reversing the ongoing infractions and do right by the Nigerian Constitution, the people and in the spirit of public peace and security?
Looking forward.
Gloria Mabeiam Ballason Esq
C.E.O. House of Justice
28 May, 2023.