Retired Nigerian Army Major General Danjuma Hamisu Ali-Keffi has challenged Defence Minister Christopher Musa to provide evidence for allegations linking former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai to banditry and killings in the state.
Ali-Keffi, a former General Officer Commanding (GOC) 1 Division of the Nigerian Army, criticised Musa’s recent comments about the former governor and warned serving and retired military officers against becoming involved in partisan political disputes.
‘Present The Evidence’
Speaking in an interview with SaharaReporters, Ali-Keffi said Musa should produce evidence if he had proof that El-Rufai paid or negotiated with bandits.
The retired general questioned why such evidence had not been publicly presented if it existed.
He said allegations made by senior military figures carry significant weight because members of the public could interpret their comments as representing the position of the military establishment.
Ali-Keffi Disputes El-Rufai Claims
Ali-Keffi also rejected the suggestion that El-Rufai instructed military commanders to stop operations against criminal groups during his tenure as Kaduna governor.
Drawing from his experience as GOC 1 Division, he said he never received such an instruction from the former governor.
According to Ali-Keffi, El-Rufai did not prevent the military from conducting operations against criminal elements in Kaduna.
He also said the Kaduna State Government provided intelligence that assisted security operations during his tenure.
‘Generals Should Stay Out Of Politics’
The retired general said serving and former military officers should be cautious when making political statements.
He argued that the authority associated with senior military officers means their public comments can carry consequences beyond ordinary political arguments.
“Generals should be very careful how we comment on political issues. We are not professional politicians,” Ali-Keffi said.
He described Musa’s allegations against El-Rufai as political and said he was disappointed by the Defence Minister’s comments.
Defence Minister’s Earlier Allegations
The dispute follows comments by Christopher Musa in which the Defence Minister accused El-Rufai of actions that, according to him, contributed to insecurity and division in Kaduna State.
Musa alleged that the former governor had paid bandits and criticised aspects of his handling of security during his tenure.
El-Rufai has not been established by these allegations as having committed any criminal offence.
Ali-Keffi’s latest intervention therefore adds another layer to the growing public disagreement over the former governor’s record on security.