Dalung Challenges Defence Minister Over El-Rufai Allegations

Former Minister Solomon Dalung has demanded that Nigeria's Defence Minister, General Christopher Musa, substantiate his claim that ex-Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai "deliberately planned for the killing of our people." In a commentary posted on September 7, 2026, Dalung noted that Musa's allegations, made during a recent interview, require concrete evidence due to his significant position as a former Chief of Defence Staff. Musa referenced El-Rufai's past admissions regarding payments to bandits and urged viewers to scrutinize the former governor's recorded statements.

Dalung acknowledged the long-standing communal violence in Kaduna, which predates El-Rufai's tenure from 2015 to 2023, and cited General Martin Luther Agwai's historical overview of the region's crises. He questioned Musa's actions during his military service regarding the allegations against El-Rufai.

Retired Major-General Danjuma Ali-Keffi also refuted Musa's claims, stating that El-Rufai never impeded military operations against criminals and that the Kaduna State government provided intelligence to military commanders.