Northern Group Demands El-Rufai’s Arrest Over Alleged Tapping Of Ribadu’s Phone

A coalition, Northern Youth Frontiers (NYF), has called on the federal government to investigate and arrest former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, over alleged comments on the breach of the national security adviser (NSA), Malam Nuhu Ribadu’s communication line.

The group expressed concern over what it described as an alarming admission by El-Rufai that he had been privy to information obtained from a hacked NSA phone.

In a statement issued by its chairman, Sama Musa, stressed that the matter goes beyond politics and touches on the integrity of Nigeria’s intelligence architecture.

According to the NYF, such claims raise serious national security concerns.

Musa said, “By claiming that an individual hacked the NSA’s phone and relayed the contents of private discussions to him, El-Rufai has confessed to being a direct beneficiary and potentially a coordinator of a sophisticated cyber-espionage operation.

“This is not merely a political dispute; it is a grave issue of national security. If the communication of the nation’s top security coordinator can be compromised and the intercepted data shared with unauthorised individuals, the entire intelligence infrastructure of Nigeria is at risk,” he said.

The NYF demanded that security agencies thoroughly investigate the allegation, identify any collaborators or technical accomplices involved, and ensure that anyone found culpable is brought to justice in accordance with the law, including provisions of the Cybercrimes Act.

The group further urged the federal government to treat the issue as a serious breach of national security and to act swiftly to safeguard the country’s institutions.

He added, “The NYF asserts that this crime was not committed in isolation. We demand that: Nasir El-Rufai be held accountable for his involvement in and knowledge of this breach. All collaborators and technical accomplices who facilitated the hacking of the NSA’s phone be identified and arrested immediately.

“The federal government treats this as a heinous crime against the state, as receiving and utilising hacked intelligence is a direct violation of the Cybercrimes Act and national safety protocols.

“Furthermore, we must address El-Rufai’s history of resisting lawful authority and his tendency to politicise matters of national safety. His past defiance of law enforcement suggests he believes he is above the law.

“By allowing him to remain free after such a blatant admission of cyber intrusion, the government risks sending a message of impunity to those who would seek to destabilise our democracy.

“The integrity of our national security institutions is the only thing standing between order and chaos. We cannot allow individuals to compromise these institutions for personal or political gain.”

The NYF reiterated its call for prompt action by relevant authorities to protect the nation’s democratic and security institutions.