Former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has petitioned the Police Service Commission (PSC) over what he described as unprofessional conduct and breaches of the Police Act by officers of the Kaduna State Police Command.
In his petition, El-Rufai stressed the need for accountability within the force, insisting that the PSC must be regularly informed of misconduct that erodes public trust.
“I write out of concern that the Nigerian Police, warts and all, remains the only frontline law enforcement institution we have. Citizens must not only support it but also ensure the Commission is given every opportunity to exercise its regulatory powers, enforce discipline, and promote sound conduct among officers,” he said.
He added that the Commission’s attention must be drawn to “egregious acts” by rogue officers whose behaviour tarnishes the image of the police and undermines confidence in its leadership.
El-Rufai recalled that he had previously raised similar concerns in a petition to the Inspector-General of Police, accusing some officers of “egregiously unlawful acts” since the assumption of duty by Kaduna Police Commissioner, Rabiu Muhammad, on 30 December 2024.
He urged the PSC to conduct an “immediate, impartial, and exhaustive” investigation into the matter.
The petition coincides with a summons issued to him and other African Democratic Congress (ADC) leaders in Kaduna. The Police Command invited them over allegations of criminal conspiracy, public incitement, mischief, and causing grievous harm.
The summons, signed by Deputy Commissioner of Police Zubairu Abdullahi, requested their appearance at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID). Some ADC members, however, claimed they had not received any formal invitation and only learnt of it via social media.
The development follows violent clashes on 30 August, when suspected thugs armed with cutlasses, clubs, and stones disrupted the inauguration of a transition committee formed by opposition parties under the ADC. Several people were injured and property vandalised, though the event continued under tense conditions.
The coalition behind the committee includes members of an All Progressives Congress (APC) faction opposed to the state leadership, as well as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Social Democratic Party (SDP), New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Labour Party (LP), and the ADC.
The Kaduna Police Command blamed El-Rufai for the disruption, alleging that he failed to notify security agencies despite prior warnings. Police spokesman DSP Mansir Hassan described this as a breach of public order.
Meanwhile, the ADC accused the Federal Government of using security operatives to intimidate opposition parties. Its spokesman, Bolaji Abdullahi, condemned both the summons of El-Rufai and ADC leaders and the recent attack on former Attorney-General Abubakar Malami’s convoy, alleging a coordinated effort to silence dissent where the ruling party feels threatened.
El-Rufai has also accused the government of “empowering bandits” by paying allowances and supplying food under what he described as a “kiss-the-bandits policy” disguised as non-kinetic measures.