The Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) has denied allegations by former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, that the federal government pays or offers incentives to bandits.
In a statement issued on Monday by Zakari Mijinyawa, ONSA described El-Rufai’s remarks as baseless, insisting that no arm of government has ever engaged in ransom payments or inducements to criminals.
“On the contrary, we have always cautioned Nigerians against paying ransom. El-Rufai’s claims are false and go against the verifiable facts on the ground,” the statement read.
The office explained that the government’s counter-banditry strategy has relied on a dual approach of sustained military operations and community engagement, noting that this has improved security in parts of Kaduna once plagued by attacks, including Igabi, Birnin Gwari, and Giwa.
It highlighted recent successes, including the elimination of several notorious bandits such as Boderi, Baleri, Sani Yellow Janburos, Buhari, and Boka, as well as the capture of Ansaru leaders with bases in Kaduna.
“These achievements came at a great cost, with some of our brave officers paying the ultimate price. For a former governor like El-Rufai to dismiss these sacrifices on national television is both unfair and deeply disrespectful to the memories of our security personnel,” ONSA said.
The office urged El-Rufai and other political figures to avoid politicising national security issues, stressing that the fight against banditry requires collective effort rather than partisan rhetoric.
El-Rufai had alleged on Sunday that the federal government was paying bandits to prevent further killings.
