Bashir Saidu, a former Chief of Staff to the ex-Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, has been remanded in a correctional facility following his arrest by operatives of Operation Fushin Kada, previously known as Operation Yaki.
Saidu, a close political associate of El-Rufai, was apprehended on Tuesday on the outskirts of Kaduna. While the authorities have yet to disclose the official reason for his arrest, allegations of money laundering have surfaced. However, sources close to the former official claim the arrest is politically motivated and part of an alleged crackdown on El-Rufai’s allies.
A former commissioner under El-Rufai’s administration, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed the arrest and criticized the action as a misuse of power.
“It is true that Bashir Saidu was arrested on Tuesday by the operatives and is now in custody. Is this the kind of democracy we want, where agencies like Operation Fushin Kada are used to detain political opponents?” the source said.
The source further alleged that many of El-Rufai’s political associates are facing investigations or charges from agencies like the Code of Conduct Tribunal, EFCC, and ICPC, describing the situation as a targeted attack.
Efforts to get comments from the Kaduna State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Mansir Hassan, were unsuccessful as calls to his phone went unanswered. Similarly, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Uba Sani, Ibraheem Musa, did not respond to text messages at the time of reporting.
However, a security source familiar with the matter defended the arrest, citing constitutional provisions.
“Under the 1999 Constitution and the Police Act, the Nigeria Police Force has the mandate to protect lives, properties, and public funds. Any officer can arrest, investigate, and prosecute individuals accused of criminal activity, provided a prima facie case is established,” the source said.
The source dismissed claims of political persecution, stating, “To suggest that Operation Fushin Kada, which was set up to combat banditry and criminal elements, is now being used to harass political opponents is not only misleading but an attempt to divert attention from the serious allegations against the accused.”
