Former Chairman of the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission (PCACC), Muhyi Magaji Rimin Gado, has given a chilling account of what it truly means to challenge corruption in Nigeria. According to him, taking on powerful political figures is just as dangerous as confronting armed drug cartels in Colombia.
Gado revealed that his resolve to investigate alleged graft involving a former governor exposed him and his family to serious danger. He recalled how, for about 17 hours, they endured traumatic experiences simply because he dared to probe allegations of massive looting of public funds.
Speaking in Lagos as a keynote speaker at an event marking International Anti-Corruption Day, Gado warned that corruption is not just an economic problem but a direct contributor to violence and banditry, especially in northern Nigeria. He argued that when public funds are stolen and mismanaged, poverty deepens, frustration grows, and criminal groups find easy recruits among desperate youths.
The former anti-corruption chief explained that while carrying out his statutory duties, he uncovered links between suspect companies and a former governor. He also alleged the discovery of billions of naira in illicit funds tied to public-private partnerships and fraudulent land rent collections linked to the state’s internally generated revenue.
Describing corrupt politicians as a “cancer” eating deep into Nigeria’s system, Gado said the country would not reclaim its dignity among nations unless such elements are confronted head-on, no matter how painful the process may be. He urged Nigerians to fully use their democratic power by voting out leaders who have consistently betrayed public trust.
Gado further narrated how threats to his life escalated into his arrest by heavily armed security personnel, who reportedly drove him overnight from Kano to Abuja. He said he was sandwiched between armed officers, adding that if bandits had attacked the convoy, survival would have been uncertain for anyone involved.
In his words, corrupt officials are prepared to do anything — even destroy lives and institutions — to protect stolen wealth. He likened them to notorious drug lords who thrive on violence and fear to maintain control.
He also raised concerns about compromised law enforcement agencies, claiming that some officers are being used by powerful politicians to harass those who pursue accountability. Gado questioned why he was being targeted despite acting under legal authorization, stressing that corruption cases already before the courts should not become grounds for intimidation.
According to him, Nigeria’s growth and development will remain stalled for as long as corrupt actors continue to dominate the political and economic space. Until accountability becomes non-negotiable, he warned, the cycle of poverty, insecurity, and injustice will only deepen.
