INVESTIGATE EVERYTHING, KADUNA DESERVES THE TRUTH — WHY KADUNA NEEDS A PROPER INVESTIGATION, JUSTICE AND HEALING BEYOND POLITICS

INVESTIGATE EVERYTHING, KADUNA DESERVES THE TRUTH — WHY KADUNA NEEDS A PROPER INVESTIGATION, JUSTICE AND HEALING BEYOND POLITICS

 

An Editorial Opinion
Privilege Magazine
Wednesday 9th ,2026

 

Kaduna State is at a critical point in its history.

For too long, difficult conversations about insecurity, political division, violence and the painful experiences of citizens have been pushed aside, politicised or buried beneath the noise of partisan disagreements. But there comes a time when a people must pause and ask difficult questions—not because they seek revenge, but because they seek truth.

That time, in our opinion, has come.

Kaduna cannot continue to move forward while carrying unresolved wounds from its past. Families who lost loved ones deserve answers. Communities affected by violence deserve justice. Victims deserve to know that their pain matters. And citizens deserve confidence that no individual, regardless of political status or influence, is beyond lawful scrutiny.

This is why the growing calls for a proper and independent investigation into allegations surrounding insecurity and other controversial developments during the administration of former Governor Mallam Nasir El-Rufai should not simply be dismissed as politics.

Kaduna deserves the truth.

And truth must never be sacrificed on the altar of political convenience.

THE GROWING CALL FOR ACCOUNTABILITY

Recent interventions by concerned groups and stakeholders have once again brought to the forefront questions that many citizens have asked privately for years.

There have been public allegations, concerns and claims relating to insecurity, violence and the handling of security challenges during previous administrations in Kaduna State. Some of these issues have generated intense public debate, particularly following recent comments by political stakeholders and retired senior security officers.

Where allegations are serious and credible, the answer should not be insults.

The answer should not be threats.

The answer should not be intimidation.

The answer should be a lawful investigation.

An investigation does not amount to a declaration of guilt. It is a process designed to establish facts.

If an individual is innocent, a credible investigation can establish that innocence.

If wrongdoing occurred, the appropriate legal institutions should determine responsibility.

That is how democracy works.

That is how strong institutions work.

And that is how societies heal.

WHY THE KADUNA STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY SHOULD ACT

The Kaduna State House of Assembly is one of the most important democratic institutions in the state.

The legislature has a responsibility to represent the people and exercise oversight in matters affecting governance and public interest.

The Assembly has previously examined important issues relating to the administration of Kaduna State, including matters concerning financial obligations, public expenditure, projects and governance.

It is therefore reasonable for citizens and stakeholders to call for a comprehensive review, within the law and the constitutional powers of the legislature, of significant security concerns and unresolved incidents that occurred in Kaduna State.

Such a process must be properly constituted.

It must follow the law.

It must be impartial.

And it must never become a political witch-hunt.

The objective should be simple:

TO ESTABLISH THE TRUTH.

Kaduna has experienced tragic periods of insecurity.

Communities have suffered attacks.

Families have lost loved ones.

Citizens have been displaced.

Traditional institutions and community structures have been affected by violence and instability.

There are families who still carry unanswered questions.

There are communities still living with memories of tragedy.

There are victims who believe their stories have not been properly heard.

A society cannot simply tell victims to forget and move on without making a genuine effort to establish the truth.

Kaduna deserves closure.

And closure can only come when there is confidence that the truth has been genuinely pursued.

INVESTIGATE EVERYTHING—BUT DO IT LAWFULLY

Our position is simple:

Investigate everything.

Let every credible allegation be examined.

Let available records be reviewed by competent authorities.

Let relevant officials and institutions be invited where the law permits.

Let victims and affected communities be heard.

Let security records and government actions be properly examined.

Let there be transparency.

But above all, let there be due process.

This call should not be directed at any individual because of political differences.

It is a call for institutional accountability.

If there are credible allegations concerning insecurity, governance decisions, public resources or the handling of crises, competent institutions should have the courage to examine them.

Nobody should be declared guilty without evidence.

But neither should serious questions be permanently ignored because they are politically inconvenient.

Justice must be blind to political affiliation.

ADDRESS THE ISSUES, NOT THE PERSONALITY

The recent controversy surrounding comments attributed to the Honourable Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa (Rtd.), has generated intense reactions.

However, Nigerians must be careful not to allow emotions to replace reason.

General Musa is a retired senior military officer with extensive experience in Nigeria’s security architecture. His professional background gives him considerable exposure to security operations and the complex realities of Nigeria’s conflict environment.

When experienced security professionals raise concerns about insecurity, terrorism or conflict, the appropriate response should be to carefully examine the substance of the issues raised.

We should ask:

Are the allegations true?

Is there evidence?

Do the claims require investigation?

These are the questions that should concern Nigerians.

Personal attacks, insults and social media campaigns cannot establish the truth.

Only evidence and credible investigations can do that.

An allegation must not automatically be accepted as fact.

But it must also not automatically be rejected simply because it is uncomfortable.

That is why institutions exist.

NO INTIMIDATION, NO HARASSMENT

Every Nigerian deserves fairness.

Public officers can be questioned, criticised and challenged. That is part of democracy.

However, criticism must be responsible.

It must not become intimidation.

It must not become harassment.

And it must not become an attempt to silence individuals or prevent legitimate questions from being asked.

If claims have been made that require clarification, the appropriate authorities should seek clarification.

If evidence is required, evidence should be presented.

If an investigation is necessary, then there should be an investigation.

But Nigerians must not replace evidence with insults.

THE DOUBLE STANDARD WE MUST CONFRONT

One of the troubling aspects of our political culture is the double standard surrounding public speech.

Sometimes, individuals spend years making harsh statements about political opponents, communities and institutions. Their supporters describe such statements as courage or freedom of expression.

But when another person responds or presents a contrary perspective, the same people suddenly demand silence.

This is unhealthy.

Freedom of expression cannot belong only to one political group.

The right to speak cannot belong only to those with influence.

Truth cannot be determined by who has the loudest supporters on social media.

If one person has the right to speak, another person also has the right to respond.

If allegations can be made against one person, questions can equally be asked about another.

Democracy must apply the same standards to everyone.

KADUNA MUST NOT LIVE IN FEAR

Perhaps the most important reason Kaduna needs a genuine process of truth, accountability and reconciliation is that citizens must not continue to live in fear.

Fear destroys communities.

Fear silences witnesses.

Fear prevents citizens from speaking.

Fear creates the impression that powerful individuals can never be questioned.

That is not the Kaduna we should build.

We want a Kaduna where citizens can speak without intimidation.

We want a Kaduna where victims can seek justice.

We want a Kaduna where leaders can be questioned.

We want a Kaduna where public institutions are strong enough to investigate serious allegations without political interference.

And we want a Kaduna where justice is not reserved for the weak.

No citizen should be afraid of the truth.

If there is nothing to hide, then there should be nothing to fear from a lawful, fair and impartial investigation.

THIS IS NOT ABOUT REVENGE

Let it be clearly stated:

This is not about hatred.

It is not about revenge.

It is not about political persecution.

It is not about settling scores.

It is about the future of Kaduna State.

The people of Kaduna have suffered enough from religious tension, ethnic division, insecurity and political disagreements.

We must stop transferring our conflicts to the next generation.

Our children deserve a better Kaduna.

They deserve to inherit a state where Muslims and Christians see one another as neighbours rather than enemies.

They deserve communities where ethnic differences are respected.

They deserve leaders who unite rather than divide.

They deserve security.

They deserve education.

They deserve economic opportunities.

They deserve hope.

But genuine reconciliation cannot be built upon silence.

Healing requires truth.

And truth requires courage.

THE NEED FOR INSTITUTIONAL ACTION

Issues involving killings, insecurity, terrorism and alleged human rights violations cannot be resolved through Facebook posts, television debates or social media arguments.

Nigeria has institutions.

Those institutions must work.

The appropriate security agencies should examine credible security-related allegations.

The National Human Rights Commission and other relevant institutions should continue to promote accountability and the protection of human rights within their constitutional mandates.

Where there is sufficient evidence requiring further action, the appropriate legal and investigative institutions should act in accordance with the law.

Civil society organisations also have an important role to play.

Traditional and religious leaders have responsibilities.

The media must report responsibly and pursue the facts.

Political leaders must resist the temptation to exploit the pain of victims for political advantage.

The search for truth must be bigger than politics.

NO ONE SHOULD BE ABOVE THE LAW

Nigeria must strengthen its culture of accountability.

Whether a person is a former governor, a serving public officer, a military officer, a businessman or an ordinary citizen, the law must apply equally.

No one should be convicted on social media.

No one should be declared guilty because of political differences.

But equally, no one should become untouchable because of political influence.

Where credible allegations exist, the appropriate authorities should investigate.

Where evidence establishes wrongdoing, the law should take its course.

Where allegations cannot be substantiated, that truth should equally be made known.

That is justice.

Justice is not the punishment of an enemy.

Justice is the establishment of truth through lawful processes.

KADUNA NEEDS HEALING, NOT MORE DIVISION

Today, more than ever, Kaduna needs healing.

We must deliberately move away from the politics of religious division.

We must reject the language of hatred.

We must stop seeing every political disagreement as a religious war.

We must stop allowing political interests to turn communities against one another.

Kaduna is home to diverse ethnic and religious communities.

That diversity should be our strength.

It should never become a weapon.

The future of Kaduna depends on our ability to rebuild trust.

Trust between Muslims and Christians.

Trust between communities.

Trust between citizens and government.

And trust in public institutions.

That trust can only grow where there is justice.

LET THE RELEVANT INSTITUTIONS DO THEIR JOB

We therefore call on the Kaduna State House of Assembly and other relevant institutions to carefully consider concerns legitimately raised by citizens and stakeholders.

Where matters fall within their constitutional and legal powers, appropriate oversight, review or inquiry should be undertaken.

A properly constituted and lawful process can help separate facts from rumours.

It can provide an opportunity for relevant stakeholders to be heard.

It can help establish an accurate historical record.

And most importantly, it can help restore public confidence.

Let institutions work.

Let investigations be credible.

Let evidence guide conclusions.

And let the truth be established.

THE TRUTH WILL ALWAYS REMAIN THE TRUTH

Kaduna is bigger than any individual.

Kaduna is bigger than any political party.

Kaduna is bigger than yesterday’s leaders and today’s leaders.

Our responsibility is to protect the future.

We owe that responsibility to victims.

We owe it to their families.

We owe it to our communities.

And we owe it to the next generation.

Therefore, our message remains clear:

INVESTIGATE EVERYTHING.

Investigate credible allegations.

Examine unresolved questions.

Listen to victims.

Review the facts.

Follow the evidence.

Apply the law.

And let justice take its course.

At the same time, Nigerians must protect the right of individuals to express their views without intimidation or unlawful harassment.

We must not destroy people simply because their opinions or statements make others uncomfortable.

Kaduna deserves the truth.

Victims deserve justice.

Our communities deserve healing.

And no citizen should be forced to live in fear because they seek answers.

This is the time to rise above politics.

This is the time to strengthen our institutions.

This is the time to pursue truth.

This is the time for justice.

And above all:

THIS IS THE TIME FOR KADUNA TO HEAL.

The truth will always remain the truth.

 

By Janet V M Shammah
Staff Writer, Privilege Magazine

Privilege Magazine is a publication of Privilege Communications Nigeria Limited.