By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna
The Northern Citizens’ Group has criticized former Kaduna State Governor, , over his recent claim that he tapped the phone conversations of the National Security Adviser, describing the statement as reckless and troubling.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the President of the group, Yusuf Kanhu, said the allegation raises serious national security concerns and called on relevant security agencies to investigate the matter thoroughly.
According to the group, if the claim is true, it amounts to a grave breach that borders on national sabotage. It urged authorities to compel the former governor to provide full details of those allegedly involved.
“If he actually monitored the conversations of a serving National Security Adviser, then this is a grave matter that borders on national sabotage. But if he did not, he must explain why he would make such an alarming claim that could undermine public confidence in our national security institutions,” the statement said.
The group further challenged security agencies to ensure that anyone found to have unlawfully interfered with official communications is held accountable in accordance with the law.
Beyond the phone-tapping allegation, the Northern Citizens’ Group accused El-Rufai of attempting to rewrite the narrative surrounding the security situation in Kaduna State during his tenure from 2015 to 2023. It alleged that insecurity, including banditry, kidnappings, and communal violence, ravaged many communities across the state during that period.
“Communities were abandoned. Families buried their loved ones almost every week as victims of bandit attacks. Entire villages were displaced. The people lived in deep pain and widespread fear,” the statement added.
The group claimed that residents of Southern Kaduna, particularly Christians in several communities, bore a significant brunt of the violence and felt abandoned at the height of the crisis. It also alleged that some public statements attributed to the former governor at the time heightened tensions rather than eased them.
The Northern Citizens’ Group expressed surprise that El-Rufai, who had previously acknowledged negotiating with bandits in a bid to curb killings, would now position himself as a moral authority on governance and security.
“Anyone who claims to have tapped the phone of a security chief must be ready to explain his motives. Nigerians deserve full clarity,” the statement said.
The group also questioned whether such alleged actions, if true, could have compromised security operations, urging relevant authorities not to ignore the matter.
It further alleged that the former governor’s comments may be driven by political resentment following his perceived sidelining in the administration of President .
The group urged political leaders across party lines to exercise caution in public commentary, especially on sensitive issues relating to national security and interfaith relations.
