The Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) has dismissed allegations by former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, that the federal government engages in ransom payments or offers incentives to armed bandits.
In a statement issued on Monday and signed by ONSA spokesperson Zakari Mijinyawa, the office described El-Rufai’s claims made on a television programme on Sunday night as baseless. “At no time has the ONSA, or any arm of government under this administration, engaged in ransom payments or inducements to criminals,” the statement said.
ONSA further noted that the former governor’s claims contradict verifiable facts on the ground. “From inception, this government adopted a dual strategy: decisive kinetic operations alongside community engagements aimed at addressing local grievances. The result is evident in areas such as Igabi, Birnin Gwari, Giwa, and other parts of Kaduna that once suffered untold terror but are now experiencing relative peace,” the statement read.
The office highlighted the successes of military and security agencies, noting that notorious bandits and terrorist leaders in Kaduna, including Boderi, Baleri, Sani Yellow Janburos, Buhari, and Boka, have been neutralized or apprehended. Similar operations recently led to the capture of Ansaru leaders who had previously established bases in the state.
ONSA also criticized El-Rufai for allegedly undermining the sacrifices of security personnel. “For a former governor of a state in person of El-Rufai to deny these sacrifices on national television is both unfair and deeply insulting to the memories of our security personnel,” the statement said.
The spokesperson urged all political actors to avoid politicizing national security matters. “The fight against banditry is a collective struggle, not a platform for political point-scoring,” he emphasized.
