The Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi Foundation has called out former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai over alleged violent raids on its Tsangaya schools and the disappearance of several children during his administration.
The Islamic foundation also issued a stern ultimatum, demanding that El-Rufai account for the missing children and issue a public apology by the end of Ramadan 2025 or face legal action.
This was contained in a statement cited by Spear News, dated 15 March, 2025 and signed by Sayyidi Ali Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi Director General, Education and School Services Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi Foundation
The foundation, in the ststement, detailed disturbing allegations against El-Rufai’s administration, accusing security forces of carrying out nighttime raids on their schools.
According to the foundation, dormitories were stormed, students and staff were brutalised, and children were forcibly removed from their hostels under false pretenses. It claims that some of these children remain unaccounted for, sparking outrage and calls for accountability.
The statement also highlighted an alleged attack on the family of Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi, a revered Islamic scholar and founder of the foundation. The attack, described as a direct act of intimidation, targeted the scholar’s home, further escalating tensions during El-Rufai’s tenure.
Despite these provocations, Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi chose to respond with patience and restraint, a move that the foundation says prevented a potential national crisis. However, the group has now declared that “patience does not mean impunity” and is demanding justice for the victims of these alleged abuses.
The foundation’s ultimatum gives El-Rufai until the end of Ramadan to publicly apologize for his actions and provide answers regarding the missing children. Should he fail to do so, the foundation has vowed to pursue legal action to hold him accountable for what it describes as gross abuses of power.
The statement also addressed political groups and individuals who have recently associated with El-Rufai, warning them to consider his alleged history of oppression. “El-Rufai is not a victim—he is an oppressor,” the foundation stated, urging stakeholders to prioritize justice and accountability.
The Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi Foundation has reaffirmed its commitment to protecting religious institutions and ensuring that no leader ever uses state power to oppress peaceful scholars and students again.
Read full statement below:
SHEIKH DAHIRU USMAN BAUCHI FOUNDATION
Centre for Islamic Culture, Qur’anic Memorization and General Islamic Teaching
PRESS STATEMENT
NASIR EL-RUFAI CANNOT ESCAPE ACCOUNTABILITY
Kaduna
March 15, 2025
The Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi Foundation reminds the general public, the media, and all relevant stakeholders of the grave injustices committed by former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, against our institution, our students, and our revered leader, Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi.
2. Under El-Rufai’s administration, security forces carried out violent night raids on our Tsangaya schools. They stormed dormitories, brutalized students and staff, and forcibly removed children from their hostels under false pretenses. Some of these children remain unaccounted for to this day. Even members of Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi’s family were physically attacked in their home, a direct act of intimidation against one of Nigeria’s most respected Islamic scholars.
3. These were not isolated incidents but part of a deliberate attempt to humiliate Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi and undermine his lifelong work in education and peacebuilding. Despite these provocations, Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi chose peace over retaliation, preventing a crisis that could have destabilized the nation.
4. However, patience does not mean impunity. El-Rufai must take responsibility for his actions. We, therefore, reaffirm our ultimatum:
5. Nasir El-Rufai has until the end of this year’s Ramadan to issue a public apology for his crimes against our foundation, our students, and our leader. Should he fail to do so, we will take legal action to ensure he is held accountable for his abuses of power.
6. We also address those who have recently opened their doors to him. While political platforms are open to all, those who claim to stand for justice must not ignore the history of individuals they welcome. El-Rufai is not a victim-he is an oppressor. Any group or party that aligns with him must be fully aware of the damage he has inflicted on innocent lives.
7. The Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi Foundation will not allow these injustices to be forgotten. We stand firm in our commitment to seeking justice, protecting religious institutions, and ensuring that no leader ever uses state power to oppress peaceful scholars and students again.
Sayyidi Ali Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi Director General, Education and School Services Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi Foundation
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