By Khalid Doya Idris
The Markaz Old Boys Association (MOBA) has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Kaduna State Governor Senator Uba Sani, and human rights organizations to investigate the actions of former Kaduna State Governor Mallam Nasir El-Rufai. The association alleges that El-Rufai abused his power, violated the Nigerian Constitution, and orchestrated an unwarranted midnight raid on the residence of Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi, forcibly evacuating 160 Qur’anic pupils to an unknown destination.
In a statement issued after MOBA’s National Executive Council meeting in Bauchi, the assistant secretary Mallam Ahmad Tijjani Muhammad described the raid as an act of injustice, a blatant abuse of fundamental human rights, and an attack on the disciples' right to reside peacefully anywhere in the country. "Invading the house of a respected Islamic cleric, a peace advocate, and a Qur’anic legend at midnight, firing tear gas on peaceful, sleeping students and family members—is highly unjustifiable. It is a clear violation of their fundamental human rights," Tijjani said.
Tijjani emphasized that Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi deserves a public apology from Nasir El-Rufai, despite remaining silent on the matter. "Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi has always prayed for peace and stability in Kaduna State and across Nigeria. He is frequently consulted by governments at all levels for his wisdom and guidance on security matters. Attacking such a revered scholar is not only an injustice but an insult to the legacy of peace he represents."
MOBA has urged President Tinubu and Governor Uba Sani to take immediate action by investigating the injustices committed against Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi, his family, and his disciples. The group appealed, "We want the Government to ban Nasir El-Rufai from holding any position forever for his lack of respect for human beings and declare him a tyrant ruler who has no respect for fundamental human rights."
The group also called on Governor Uba Sani to right the wrongdoings and human rights abuses committed by El-Rufai against Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi, as a mark of respect for his over 100-year journey of propagating Islamic knowledge and preaching for peace and stability in Kaduna State and the country at large.
According to MOBA, during El-Rufai's tenure as governor, a government task force carried out a commando-style raid on Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi's residence in Kaduna, forcibly evacuating 160 Qur’anic pupils to the Hajj Camp along Mando Road. Despite efforts by the Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi Foundation to recover the missing children, many remain unaccounted for to this day.