Senior Political Assistant to the African Democratic Congress, ADC, presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, Demola Olarenwaju, on Saturday warned that denying former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, access to medical attention in detention is a risk President Bola Tinubu’s administration cannot afford to take.


Olarenwaju warned that if anything happens to El-Rufai, Tinubu’s administration would be held responsible.

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) reportedly denied El-Rufai access to medical attention while in its custody.


An aide to the former Kaduna State governor, Muyiwa Adekeye, had claimed that his principal is suffering from swollen, reddish and itchy eyes while in the custody of the ICPC and requires urgent medical attention, which was allegedly denied.

El-Rufai was arrested at the Abuja International Airport earlier in the year and charged in court with abuse of office and money laundering allegedly committed while serving as governor.


However, Olarenwaju posted on X: “Denying El-Rufai access to medical care is a risk the Bola Tinubu regime cannot afford.

“And we must say it clearly yet again that if anything happens to the man, it will be on the government that has detained him illegally. Politics taken to this extent is extremely dangerous.”

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and former Zamfara State governor, Abdulaziz Yari, have called on Nigerians to unite against terrorism, banditry and other forms of violent crimes.

They warned that criminal groups must not be allowed to divide the country or weaken public confidence in the nation’s future.

Sanwo-Olu and Yari made the appeal in separate statements on Saturday.

The calls came against the backdrop of the recent abduction of teachers and students in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, as well as renewed attacks by terrorists and bandits in parts of the North.

While Sanwo-Olu urged Nigerians to rally behind President Bola Tinubu and the nation’s security agencies in confronting the insecurity challenges, Yari stressed that the fight against the menace required collective national action beyond government efforts alone.

In a statement obtained by Sunday PUNCH, Sanwo-Olu said Nigerians must not allow fear, political differences or ethnic divisions to undermine the country’s collective resolve against criminal elements.

According to him, the recent incidents of violence should serve as a reminder of the need for national unity rather than political recriminations.


“Recent security incidents in parts of our country have understandably generated concerns among citizens.

“But moments like this in our national life require that we remind ourselves of our national character as a people. We are Nigerians. Our will is strong and our spirit is unbreakable,” the governor stated.

He described every loss of life resulting from violence as a national tragedy and urged Nigerians to remember victims of insecurity in their prayers.

The governor warned against attempts to politicise insecurity, noting that terrorists, kidnappers and other criminal groups do not discriminate based on ethnicity, religion or political affiliation.

“Every life lost is a tragedy. Every community threatened by violence deserves our solidarity, support and protection. We must be united in our prayers for the teachers and students abducted from Oriire Local Government in Oyo State.

“The forces of evil confronting our nation do not ask for our political affiliation before they kill, maim and destroy. So must our resolve and support for our nation be devoid of political leanings and divisive rhetoric,” he said.

Sanwo-Olu maintained that despite the challenges confronting the country, Nigeria possesses the capacity to overcome insecurity through resilience, unity and sustained support for security institutions.


“The security challenge confronting our nation today is not insurmountable. The forces seeking to spread fear and instability do not represent the character of our people or the future of our country. Their actions are designed to weaken our resolve and diminish our confidence. We must deny them that victory,” he said.

The Lagos governor also paid tribute to members of the armed forces and other security personnel engaged in counterterrorism and anti-banditry operations across the country.

“Every day, brave men and women put themselves in harm’s way to defend our nation and preserve our freedoms. They deserve our prayers and our support as they take on these forces of evil.

“Lasting solutions are rarely achieved overnight, but progress is possible when a nation stands firmly behind those charged with protecting it,” he noted.

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He called on citizens to support security agencies through vigilance and intelligence sharing, stressing that the battle against insecurity could not be won by government alone.

The governor further expressed confidence in President Tinubu’s leadership and the ability of the military, intelligence agencies and other security institutions to confront the country’s security threats.

“As citizens, we all have a stake in the security and stability of our country. Government alone cannot win this battle without the support, cooperation, vigilance and active intelligence sharing by local communities.


“I wish to reiterate my confidence in the leadership of President Tinubu and in the ability of our security and intelligence services to defeat the forces of evil unleashing terror attacks on soft targets within the civilian population,” he said

The Katsina State Government has intensified its multi-dimensional security operations to secure the release of former Director of Defence Information, Major General Rabe Abubakar (Rtd), his wife, and other victims in captivity, expressing optimism that ongoing efforts will soon yield positive results

In a statement issued on Saturday, the Katsina State Commissioner for Information and Culture, Bala Zango, disclosed that Governor Dikko Radda has directed relevant security agencies to prioritise the safe rescue of Abubakar, his wife, and other abductees.

According to the government, preliminary investigations have revealed that the abduction was not a random attack but a deliberate operation orchestrated by organised criminal elements.

Evidence gathered by security agencies indicates that the retired general and his spouse were monitored and trailed from Kaduna, their point of departure, before being intercepted and abducted.

The Katsina government noted that the sophistication of the operation signals a disturbing shift in the tactics employed by criminal groups operating within the region.

“The targeted nature of this crime has provided critical intelligence that is shaping our response strategy,” the statement said.


Authorities explained that security agencies are leveraging both advanced technology and ground intelligence in an effort to track down the perpetrators and ensure the safe return of all victims.

“We are dealing with a targeted operation, which changes the dynamics of our response,” the statement quoted government officials as saying.

“The state is working around the clock, utilising both technology and ground intelligence to close in on the abductors. Our primary goal remains the safe return of the General, his wife, and others in similar situations.”

The Katsina State Government described the attack as an affront not only to the retired military officer and his family but also to all citizens who have devoted their lives to the service of the nation.

However, it reaffirmed its determination to bring those responsible for the abduction to justice and dismantle the criminal networks behind such attacks.

As part of the ongoing rescue efforts, the state has strengthened collaboration with the Nigerian Army, the Police, and other intelligence and security agencies while maintaining sustained surveillance and operational presence in the affected area.

The government also appealed to the public to provide information about suspicious movements or activities that may have preceded the incident, stressing that such intelligence could prove crucial in unravelling the criminal network responsible for the kidnapping.

Reiterating its commitment to combating insecurity, the Katsina State Government assured residents that every resource is being deployed to secure the freedom of the abductees.

It urged the family of Abubakar and the public to remain calm and hopeful, expressing confidence that the ongoing high-level operations would soon produce a breakthrough.