20/02/2026
CSP Usman Maibindiga, Uba Sani, and Operation Fushin Kada: Community Policing or Political Thuggery?
In the complex security landscape of Kaduna State, one name has recently surged from the shadows to the headlines: CSP Usman Maibindiga. Recently decorated by Senator Uba Sani following his promotion to Chief Superintendent, Maibindiga was appointed as the Officer in Charge of Operation Fushin Kada, a specialized joint security outfit tasked with tackling banditry and kidnapping. However, beneath the official narrative of crime fighting lies a darker, more partisan accusation. While the Governor praises him for restoring peace, opposition voices and civil rights advocates are painting a different picture, that of a high ranking officer serving as a political enforcer for the APC led government.
While the Fushin Kada unit appears highly efficient at tracking down political dissidents, the statistics for actual violent crime in Kaduna tell a devastating story. Despite the fanfare surrounding Maibindiga’s promotion, kidnapping and killings have reportedly surged across rural Kaduna. In early 2026 alone, over 50 people were kidnapped and several killed in a single weekend across Kajuru and Chikun LGAs. Critics argue there is a discrepancy between the unit’s stated mandate and its operational focus. While bandits reportedly move freely in the forests of Birnin Gwari, the resources of Fushin Kada are alleged to be redirected toward urban centers to monitor and neutralize the influence of the People’s Democratic Party and the African Democratic Congress.
Critics further point to what they describe as a disturbing lack of professional procedure in Maibindiga’s operations. In standard policing, suspects are invited for questioning; under his leadership, they claim individuals are often seized without prior summons. Multiple reports suggest that opposition members are taken from their homes or offices without formal invitations, a tactic critics compare to the very criminal elements the unit was created to combat. Allegations have also surfaced regarding the unit’s role in local bye elections, including claims that PDP candidates and agents were arrested and detained by Fushin Kada operatives just hours before polls opened, thereby influencing electoral outcomes.
Observers also reference Maibindiga’s professional association with suspended DCP Abba Kyari, who was indicted over alleged ties to international fraud and drug trafficking. Critics argue that this connection reflects a style of policing that prioritizes high profile optics and loyalty to political superiors over strict adherence to due process and impartial law enforcement. They contend that if such a blueprint is being followed, Kaduna risks witnessing not the strengthening of security institutions, but the politicization of a specialized security outfit.
The alleged involvement of a security unit in partisan activities, if substantiated, would raise significant concerns about democratic governance and human rights. Advocacy groups have called for closer scrutiny by international observers, including Amnesty International, the United Nations, and the United States and United Kingdom High Commissions. Some advocates are urging that Maibindiga be treated as a person of interest in matters relating to democratic interference, with calls for potential travel restrictions or sanctions against any officers found to have used state resources to suppress political freedoms.
Ultimately, residents of Kaduna deserve a police force that focuses on combating crime rather than being perceived as targeting critics. The legitimacy of ongoing security reforms depends on transparency, professionalism, and impartiality. It is being argued that the Inspector General of Police and the Police Service Commission should thoroughly investigate these allegations of politically motivated arrests to ensure that Operation Fushin Kada fulfills its stated mandate of protecting citizens rather than undermining public trust.
