Foundation Threatens Legal Action Against El-Rufai, Demands Apology 

The Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi Foundation has threatened to take legal action against the immediate-past Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, over alleged injustices committed against educational institutions, schools, pupils, students, and the revered Islamic scholar, Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi.

LEADERSHIP recalls that the Foundation had previously alleged that El-Rufai led security operatives to the residence of Sheikh Dahiru in Kaduna, where hundreds of students were forcibly evacuated with tear gas in the middle of the night. The Foundation accused him of attempting to disrupt the learning and memorisation of the Holy Qur’an, describing him as a man who has openly displayed hostility toward Qur’anic students (Almajirai).

The foundation in a press release issued to journalists in Bauchi yesterday signed by it’s director-general on education and school services, Sayyadi Aliyu Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi, condemned the actions carried out under El-Rufai’s administration.

The foundation also issued an ultimatum, demanding a public apology from El-Rufai before the end of this month of Ramadan, warning that failure to comply would result in legal action, as well as formal complaints to the Nigerian government and human rights organisations.

The statement reads in part, “Under El-Rufai’s directives, security forces launched violent night raids on our Tsangaya schools, stormed the residence of the respected scholar Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi, and forcefully evacuated Qur’anic pupils from their hostels under false pretenses.

“Students and staff were brutalized, and some children remain unaccounted for to this day. Even members of Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi’s family were physically attacked in their own home an outright act of intimidation against one of Nigeria’s most respected Islamic scholars.”

Sayyadi described these incidents as part of a deliberate effort to humiliate Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi and undermine his lifelong dedication to education and peacebuilding.

“Despite these provocations, Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi chose peace over retaliation, preventing a crisis that could have destabilized the nation,” he stated.

Sayyadi also cautioned political parties against welcoming El-Rufai into their parties, emphasising that those who claim to stand for justice must acknowledge the past actions of those they associate with.

“El-Rufai is not a victim; he is an oppressor. Any political party or group aligning with him must be fully aware of the harm he has inflicted on innocent lives.

“The Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi Foundation will not allow these injustices to be forgotten. We stand firm in our mission to protect religious institutions, seek justice, and ensure that no leader ever abuses state power to oppress peaceful scholars and students again,” he added.