A civic group, Talk Initiative, has demanded that Nigerian security agencies and the justice system immediately conduct a “thorough, transparent, and impartial investigation” into the alleged ordeal of Hadiza Musa Baffa in the hands of former Minister of Special Duties, Kabiru Tanimu Turaki (SAN).
Sefinatu Peace Ahmed, executive assistant of the group made this known during a press conference in Abuja on Wednesday, noting that it had established direct contact with Baffa and would stand firmly with her in the ongoing fight for justice, describing her ordeal as “heartbreaking.”
Talk Initiative stressed that its campaign had no political undertone, noting that the issue at stake was about “the safety of a mother and the welfare of her child.”
“The Talk Initiative has established direct contact with Hadiza Musa Baffa and we stand firmly with her in this fight for justice. Her ordeal with Mr Kabiru Tanimu Turaki SAN is heartbreaking, and we cannot remain silent.
“Let it be clear: this campaign has no political undertone. It is simply about the safety of a mother and the welfare of her child,” she stated.
The group warned that justice must not only be done but must be seen to be done, insisting that security agencies and the judiciary must rise to the occasion without fear or favour.
It added that the organisation would remain committed to defending human dignity, promoting equality, and amplifying the voices of vulnerable Nigerians until justice is served.
“We call on Nigerians, civil society groups, and all advocates of justice to rally behind Hadiza. She must not face this battle alone.
“We equally demand that security agencies and the Nigerian justice system conduct a thorough, transparent, and impartial investigation. Justice must not only be done—it must be seen to be done.
“Talk Initiative remains committed to protecting human dignity, promoting equality, and amplifying the voices of the vulnerable. We will stand by Hadiza until justice prevails,” she added.
In a tearful narration in an August 17, 2025, video obtained by SaharaReporters, Hadiza said the former minister had consistently threatened her life and subjected her and her child to relentless intimidation.
“He has been using his power and his status to threaten my life and frustrate my life with my child. For the record, I didn’t do anything of such,” she said.
According to Hadiza, the former minister is the father of her child. She denied claims linked to a mysterious letter in circulation that allegedly involved her, insisting she did not know of it.
“I didn’t write any letter and I have no idea about that letter or why the person that wrote it wrote it,” she stressed.
She recounted that in September 2014, while she was a student of Base University, Abuja, the minister sent his driver, identified as Shehu, to pick her up around 4 p.m. She was then taken to a residence on Yadema Street, Asokoro, which she later described as “Han’s place.”
Hadiza said the following day, in the dead of night, the former minister gained access to the room where she was kept.
“He came around 1 a.m. in 2014. I don’t want to go into details because it’s not a fun thing to say. He raped me that night and asked me not to say anything. He left and I was really scared to talk,” she said, breaking down in tears.
She recalled how she tried to mask her trauma when she returned to school but her friend and roommate quickly noticed that something was wrong.
“She asked me, Hadiza are you really okay? You can talk to me. I said, yes, I’m fine. She said, you look different. I said, no, I’m fine.
“There is evidence to be pushed out soon,” she recounted.
Meanwhile, Turaki had described the allegations as “spurious, politically motivated, and orchestrated by adversaries to smear his name.”
Turaki, who had previously maintained silence while the matter went through police investigation and the courts, later said he was compelled to speak because “silence is no longer golden.”
